The Global Trade Environment

Module 3

2

Theory of Comparative Advantage

• “Even if a country is able to produce all its goods at lower costs than another country can, trade still benefits both countries based on comparative, not absolute costs.” David Recardo.

• In other words, countries should concentrate efforts on producing goods that have comparative advantage over other countries, and then export those goods in exchange for goods that command advantage in their native countries.

• Therefore, trade is a positive sum game.

3

Barriers to Trade

• Tariff Barriers

• Non-Tariff Barriers-Limitations on trade such as quotas-Customs and administrative entry procedures-Standards (sometimes, unduly stringent and discriminatory)-Government participation in trade (e.g., providing subsidies)

4

GATT

• General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade– treaty among nations to promote trade among

members• handled trade disputes• lacked enforcement power• replaced by World Trade Organization in

1995

5

World Trade Organization

• Provides forum for trade-related negotiations among 150 members – based in Geneva– serves as dispute mediators– empowered with ability to enforce rulings

• Countries found in violation of WTO rules are expected to change policies or else face sanctions

6

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• Over 180 nations (presently 184)• Purpose is to assist nations to become and remain economically viable

(debt relief, currency problems)• Stabilization of foreign exchange rates (floating exchange rates)• Establishment of a freely convertible currency to facilitate international trade

(Special drawing rights (SDR’s) – paper gold).composite of U.S.$, Euro, Yen, Sterling Pound (as of 1/23/07, 1SDR=1.5U.S. $

SDR’s can be used to:-pay debt-borrow other currencies-used as money for a transaction

7

World Bank

• Objective is to reduce poverty and improve living standards by sustainable growth and investment in people.

• Provide loans, technical assistance, policy guidance etc.

• Have five institutions performing specific functions (for example, providing assistance and loans for development projects undertaken by the governments of poor countries, private sector loans for poor countries etc.)

8

Preferential Trade Agreements

• Many countries seek to lower barriers to trade within their regions– Free Trade Areas– Customs Unions– Common Market– Economic Unions

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Free Trade Area

• Two or more countries agree to abolish all internal barriers to trade amongst themselves

• Countries continue independent trade policies with countries outside agreement

• NAFTA

10

Customs Union

• Evolution of Free Trade Area

• Includes the elimination of internal barriers to trade (as in FTA) AND

• Establishes common external barriers to trade

11

Common Market

• Includes the elimination of internal barriers to trade (as in free trade area) AND

• Establishes common external barriers to trade (as in customs union) AND

• Allows for the free movement of factors of production, such as labor, capital, and information

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Economic Unions

• Includes the elimination of internal barriers to trade (as in free trade area) AND

• Establishes common external barriers to trade (as in customs union) AND

• Allows for the free movement of factors of production, such as labor, capital, and information (as in common market) AND

• Coordinates and harmonizes economic and social policy within the union

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Economic Unions (cont.)

• Full evolution of economic union

– creation of unified central bank

– use of single currency

– common policies on issues ranging from agriculture to taxation

– requires extensive political unity

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Major Regions

• North America

• Latin America

• Asia-Pacific

• Western, Central, and Eastern Europe

15

North America

• Canada, United States, Mexico• NAFTA established free trade area

– all three nations pledge to promote economic growth through tariff reductions and expanded trade and investment

– no common external tariffs– restrictions on labor and other movements remain

16

Latin America

• Caribbean, Central, and South America

• 4 preferential trade agreements in place– Central American Integration System – Andean Community– Common Market of the South– Caribbean Community and Common Market

17

Common Market of the South (Mercosur)

• Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

• Chile and Bolivia -

• Customs union, seeks to become common market

– internal tariffs eliminated

– common external tariffs up to 20% established

– in time, factors of production will move freely through member countries

– associate members

– participation in free trade area but not customs union

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Asia-Pacific

• Includes 23 countries and 56% of world population– Japan – Newly industrializing economies– Association of Southeast Asian Nations

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Japan

• Generates 14% of world’s GNP

• Key factors– population density– geographic isolation

• Strong culture requires flexibility and commitment from global marketers

20

Newly Industrializing Economies (NIEs)

• Strong economic growth in recent decades– foreign investment– export-driven industrial development

• Sometimes called the 4 Tigers of Asia– South Korea– Taiwan– Singapore– Hong Kong

21

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma

• Goal to implement a free trade area– Tariffs of 20+% will be reduced to 0 - 5%

• Singapore represents great success among ASEAN nations

22

Europe

• European Union

• European Free Trade Area

• European Economic Area

• The Lome Convention

• Central European Free Trade Association (CEFTA)

23

European Union

• Initially began with the 1958 Treaty of Rome

• Objective to harmonize national laws and regulations so that goods, services, people and money could flow freely across national boundaries

• 1991 Maastricht Treaty set stage for transition to an economic union with a central bank and single currency (the Euro)

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Current EU MembersAt present 27 and counting

• Austria• Belgium• Bulgaria• Cyprus• Czech Republic• Denmark• Estonia• Finland• France• Germany• Greece• Hungary• Ireland

• Italy• Latvia• Lithuania• Luxembourg• Malta• Netherlands• Poland• Portugal• Romania• Slovakia

•Slovenia•Spain•Sweden•United Kingdom

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Countries in the EU

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Preferential Trade Agreements: Strategic Implications for Business and Marketing

The complexity in the marketplace will change

• For MNC’s enlarged markets• Reduced or abolished country-by-country tariffs and

restrictions• Rules and regulations can be more sophisticated• Production, financing, labor, and marketing decisions are

affected.• Competition will intensify• Will still have to deal with national markets due to

differences in language, customs, instability etc.

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Preferential Trade Agreements: Opportunities

• Large mass markets (initial advantage to large MNC’s)• Mass production and distribution (economies of scale)• Lower prices will be beneficial to be competitive• Major savings resulting from not having to develop

different versions of the same product to satisfy national standards

• The initial disadvantage to smaller companies will disappear with mergers, joint ventures acquisitions etc.

• Coordinated programs to develop economic growth• Protects businesses that operates within the borders

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Preferential Trade Agreements: Threats or Market Barriers

• It could be difficult for smaller companies to meet new and more sophisticated product standards

• Exporters will find it very difficult to compete

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Preferential Trade Agreements: Marketing Mix Implications

• Reduced number of brands• Much less price differential (more standardized

pricing) among member countries• Integrated and competitive distribution system• Competition among small and medium size

retailers• Internet marketing will grow