Suchergebnisse

This article introduces an innovative and exible dynamic forward calibration method for disaggregated new quantitative trade models, particularly the Eaton and Kortum model, within a computable general equilibrium framework. The model is parameterized based on distinct, consistent future development scenario assumptions about EU climate policy, economic growth, energy efficiency, the electricity mix and structural change (sectoral shifts) derived through a complex scenario-creation process. The model equations and the scenario assumptions are implemented as side constraints of an optimization problem minimizing the difference between historical and targeted technology levels (sectoral productivities). This method is combined with input-output data disaggregation methods to separate Northwest Germany from the rest of Germany and to represent different power generation technologies. This setup enables the comparison of alternative regional sustainability-oriented long-term policy pathways. Despite the importance of the policy pathways envisaged by Northwest Germany's governments to society, they have limited macroeconomic effects in the simulations. In contrast, the future development scenario assumptions significantly affect European economies, particularly via the EU climate policy costs that drastically increase towards 2050. If Northwest Germany's energy transition fails, then its climate policy costs will increase extraordinarily.

This cumulative dissertation consists of four essays focusing on the applied policy research in international trade. I conduct policy research on current and relevant trade subjects using state-of-the-art quantitative trade models. In the first two essays I analyze the impact of potential trade policies before they are implemented (ex-ante), while in the two later essays I examine policy issues and their effects after they were implemented (ex-post). The first essay is dedicated to the exploration of the trade and welfare effects of a potential free trade agreement (FTA) between the United States and Japan. Examining the effects of this bilateral FTA is of economic relevance as Japan is the largest trading partner for the United States without an established FTA. Based on the new quantitative trade model of Caliendo and Parro (2015) I consider various trade policy scenarios of such a potential FTA. In my counterfactual analysis I focus on the decrease of tariffs as well as on the reduction of different levels of non-tariff barriers. My findings indicate that the largest trade effects are driven by the reduction of non-tariff barriers. Furthermore, I compare the impact of a bilateral "Deep FTA" with the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The results show that the United States would prefer joining TPP; Japan would benefit the most of a "Deep FTA". The second essay of my dissertation project concentrates on the abolition of import tariffs in the automotive sector between the EU and the United States. To study the potential policy implications of the so-called "Zero Tariff Solution", this essay applies the Caliendo and Parro (2015) framework and the empirical approach of the first essay. Hereby, several possible trade policy scenarios are analyzed. The key result clearly shows that the highest welfare gains would be achieved by the "grand solution" where the EU and the United States reduce the automotive tariffs for all WTO countries. At the heart of the third essay lies the question about the ...

Abstract
In a two-country international trade model with oligopolistic competition, we study the conditions on market structure and trade costs under which a merger policy designed to benefit domestic consumers is too tough or too lenient from the viewpoint of the foreign country. We calibrate the model to match industry-level data in the U.S. and Canada. Our results suggest that at present levels of trade costs, merger policy is too tough in the vast majority of sectors. We also quantify the resulting externalities and study the impact of different regimes of coordinating merger policies at varying levels of trade costs.