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Articles by Sami Bensassi
With Trump back in the White House, the age of free trade could be coming to an end
For a superpower like the US, free trade is, in practice, an invitation to partake in its wealth. But it also implies an obligation, including political support (or at least non-opposition) and an expectation that the poorer nation will give back part of its new riches by buying the superpower’s exports. This, in essence, is the system that has worked wonders for the US for nearly 75 years.
Trump tariffs as confrontation, deterrence and art of the deal
The last time Donald Trump was US president, he entered trade wars with China and Europe. But despite his bravado and tariffs, the US trade deficit did not improve. In fact, it deteriorated from US$195 billion in the first quarter of 2017 to in the same period of 2021. The first round of Trump tariffs were at a maximum of 25% and were slapped on a number of selected goods. But now his policy appears to be that the US will apply tariffs of 10% or 20% to most imported goods.
Three possible futures for the global economy if Trump brings in new trade tariffs
The last time Donald Trump was US president, he entered trade wars with China and Europe. But despite his bravado and tariffs, the US trade deficit did not improve. In fact, it deteriorated from US$195 billion in the first quarter of 2017 to in the same period of 2021. The first round of Trump tariffs were at a maximum of 25% and were slapped on a number of selected goods. But now his policy appears to be that the US will apply tariffs of 10% or 20% to most imported goods.
Lifting the lid on the black box of informal trade in Africa
There are a host of shortcomings that limit trade: non-tariffs barriers, red tape and insufficient infrastructure. Tariff barriers remain high outside areas covered by the agreements. Enhancing trade integration between African countries could yield large economic gains. This idea motivated the latest initiative for integration, the continental free trade area However, a large part of cross-border trade between African countries is informal.
Economists are severely underestimating the amount of trade between African countries
The share of internal trade in Africa remains low, as reflected by official statistics. This is despite numerous regional trade agreements that have led to tariffs removal within the trading blocs. At least in principle.There are a host of shortcomings that limit trade: non-tariffs barriers, red tape and insufficient infrastructure. Tariff barriers remain high outside areas covered by the agreements. Enhancing trade integration between African countries could yield large economic gains.
Lifting the Lid on the Black Box of Informal Trade in Africa
The share of internal trade in Africa remains low, as reflected by official statistics. This is despite numerous regional trade agreements that have led to tariffs removal within the trading blocs. At least in principle. There are a host of shortcomings that limit trade: non-tariffs barriers, red tape and insufficient infrastructure. Tariff barriers remain high outside areas covered by the agreements. Enhancing trade integration between African countries could yield large economic gains.
Lifting the lid on the black box of informal trade in Africa
The share of internal trade in Africa remains low, as reflected by official statistics. This is despite numerous regional trade agreements that have led to tariffs removal within the trading blocs. At least in principle. There are a host of shortcomings that limit trade: non-tariffs barriers, red tape and insufficient infrastructure. Tariff barriers remain high outside areas covered by the agreements. Enhancing trade integration between African countries could yield large economic gains.
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