TRADE LIBERALIZATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS: WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR ARGENTINA?

MARIA PRISCILA RAMOS

Ginebra

Workshop; Trade policies, household welfare and poverty alleviation:Case studies from the Virtual Institute academic network; 2014

UNCTAD Virtual Institute

Although eliminating trade protection within the framework of any of the EGS lists does not guarantee achievement of the triple-win objective, it is possible to conclude that the Japanese list results in the highest welfare gains, and that the UNCTAD list produces the lowest environmental impact for Argentina. The impact of EGS trade liberalization following the list approach could be enhanced by applying special and differentiated treatment provisions for developing countries. For instance, greater gains for welfare, trade, and the environment could be achieved through differentiated tariff cut modalities that take into account each country?s development needs. In addition, a mechanism to transfer technology to developing countries seems necessary to ensure more balanced opportunities from EGS liberalization between developed and developing countries. A multilateral agreement on EGS trade liberalization could follow these recommendations, which are also contained in the proposal submitted by Argentina.