Autor: Liviu BALAUR

Editura:  Cugetarea

Cod ISSN: 1221-4876, pp. 159-163

Abstract:

Trade barriers almost always arise out of public policy. Tariffs, quotas, VERs and other measures come about because governments conceive them, impose them, and enforce them. The debate on whether to raise or lower the barriers is a central feature of the day-to-day activity of national executives and legislatures around the world, continuing a centuries-old tradition of prominence for policies on international trade. Cost and benefits rain out from these decisions, sometimes as a gentle shower, sometimes in  thunderous storm.

This paper tries to put in discussion the traditional reasoning used to justify trade barriers. That reasoning in a few cases is convincing, though for the most part we have seen that the protection inflicts costs on society greater than the benefits delivered to the firms and factors that shelter behind the walls.