Much potential for trade liberalization exists in industries and markets with trade barriers that are prohibitive for all or many firms. In standard political economic theories of trade policy, observed prohibitive barriers must be globally optimal according to static government preferences,...

Much potential for trade liberalization exists in industries and markets with trade barriers that are prohibitive for all or many firms. In standard political economic theories of trade policy, observed prohibitive barriers must be globally optimal according to both individual and joint...

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) represents one of the innovative features of the World Trade Organization (WTO) stemming out of the Uruguay Round as it provides for the first multilateral disciplines covering international trade in services. As the 10th anniversary of the entry...

The services sector accounts today for two thirds of global output (65% of GDP in 2004; 45% of GDP in 1960) and represents the fastest growing sector of the global economy. In a world where competitiveness is key to economic development, services play a vital role in ensuring a competitive economy....