Mapping Crisis-Era Protectionism in the Asia and Pacific Region

Abstract

This paper provides an account of how governments in the Asia and Pacific region have resorted in recent years to discrimination against foreign commercial interests. As in previous systemic economic crises, policymakers altered the mix of discriminatory policies employed. This time around governments of higher income economies in the region frequently softened the budget constraints of firms, offering a range of financial incentives that went beyond high-profile bank sector bailouts. Meanwhile, many developing countries in the Asia and Pacific region relied more on traditional forms of protectionism. The result is a more fragmented set of markets in the region than before the crisis.

Keywords: protectionism, Asia-Pacific Region, WTO, non-tariff measures

JEL Classification: F13, F53