SFB 303 Discussion Paper No. A - 386
Author: Keuschnigg, Christian, and Wilhelm Kohler
Title: Dynamic Effects of Tariff Liberalization: An Intertemporal CGE Approach
Abstract: The paper presents an applied CGE trade model with overlapping
generations facing life-time uncertainty. Investment and savings are derived
from intertemporal optimization of agents under perfect foresight. We
emphasize the features of a small open economy which takes prices for
imports and the world interest rate as given. Export demand functions which
are assumed downward sloping with respect to prices of domestically
produced goods, make the terms of trade endogenous. The model intertemporally
determines the current account and the accumulation of foreign assets. We
calibrate the model to Austrian data and simulate the effects of trade
liberalization as negotiated in the Tokyo round as well as a complete tariff
liberalization. Among the results, we find that tariff reductions are
expansionary in the long-run, but are contractionary in the short-run if
the commercial policy is anticipated. Foreign debt increases in the long-run
forcing an improvement in the trade balance to service the additional debt.
Welfare improves for some old generations at the expense of young and future
generations. The utility loss of young generations is attributed partly to
unfavorable terms of trade effects and partly to intergenerational
redistribution from young to old.
Keywords:
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Creation-Date: December 1992
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