Tariffs and Production Subsidies for Income Redistribution
University of Michigan WP #391
29 Pages Posted: 2 Feb 1998
Date Written: 1996
Abstract
This paper shows that tariffs and production subsidies can Pareto-improve welfare in a small open economy when a government is concerned with income redistribution under asymmetric information. In international trade theory, free trade is optimal if the government can use lump-sum taxes and transfers. However, in reality the government cannot rely on those policy instruments due to asymmetric information between the government and individuals. In this case, the government needs to use a progressive income tax system for income redistribution. This paper shows that tariffs or production subsidies can Pareto-improve welfare even if the government uses a Pareto-optimal progressive income tax system under free trade. That is, tariffs and production subsidies complement a Pareto-optimal progressive income tax system.
JEL Classification: H21, F13
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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