Technical Barriers to Trade, Product Quality and Trade Margins: Firm-level evidence

         
Author Name DOAN Thi Thanh Ha (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia) / ZHANG Hongyong (Senior Fellow, RIETI)
Creation Date/NO. June 2022 22-E-056
Research Project East Asian Industrial Productivity
Download / Links

Abstract

Utilizing matched firm-trade data, this study examines the effect of technical barriers to trade (TBTs) on trade margins and quality upgrading in Chinese manufacturing. We find that TBTs are associated with higher probability of exit. Surviving exporters enjoy larger sales and charge higher export prices. They upgrade product quality by expanding their research and development and importing more intermediate inputs and capital goods. The positive impact of TBTs on quality upgrading offsets that on price increases, resulting in lower quality-adjusted export prices. This suggests the net welfare-enhancing effect of TBTs for the consumers of imported products.

Forthcoming: Doan, Ha Thi Thanh, and Hongyong Zhang. "Technical barriers to trade, product quality and trade margins: Firm-level evidence," Review of World Economics.