Essays on Trade Agreements and Export Dynamics

Abstract

The economic effects of the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade agreements and firm level export dynamics are presented in this thesis. The first chapter focuses on the dynamic aspects of most favored nation (MFN) tariffs and temporary trade barriers (TTBs) in developing countries. My findings demonstrate that these two policies have complementary characteristics. In the second chapter, I present theory and empirical evidence that show how efficient tariff ceilings are established under the WTO trade agreements. I found a negative correlation between tariff ceilings and measures of import market power. The third and fourth chapters analyze the exporting behaviors of firms in Indonesia with a dynamic model, especially focusing on the relationship between their exporting and investing behaviors. The third chapter explains several stylized facts in developing countries with dynamic model that is structurally estimated, and the fourth chapter focuses on the causal links between exports and investments. As a whole, this thesis analyzes tariff policies and firm's export dynamics in developing countries.