文章基本信息

标题：On the Measurement of Trade Costs: Direct vs. Indirect Approaches to Quantifying Standards and Technical Regulations
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作者：Natalie Chen ; Dennis Novy
期刊名称：CEP Discussion Paper
出版年度：2012
卷号：2012
语种：English
出版社：Centre for Economic Performance
摘要：In this article, we review the literature on the measurement of trade costs in international trade with a special emphasis on nontariff measures and in particular on standards and technical regulations. We distinguish 'direct' from 'indirect' approaches. The direct approach collects observable data or proxy variables on trade cost components which are then typically used as regressors in a gravity equation of trade. Instead, the indirect approach infers the extent of trade impediments from trade flows. It compares actual trade flows to the trade flows predicted by a hypothetical frictionless benchmark scenario based on a micro-founded trade model, attributing the deviation of actual from predicted trade flows to trade frictions. We argue that economists and policymakers can gain useful insights from both approaches.
关键词：Trade costs;nontariff measures;product standards;technical regulations;technical barriers to trade;measurement;gravity