Rules of Origin as Non-Tariff Measures: Towards Greater Regulatory Convergence

33 Pages Posted: 8 Sep 2017

See all articles by Bernard Hoekman

Bernard Hoekman

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Stefano Inama

United Nations - Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Date Written: September 2017

Abstract

This paper examines some of the features of rules of origin (RoO) that makes these policy instruments nontariff measures, reflects on the causes of the longstanding deadlock in the WTO on multilateral harmonization of non-preferential RoO, and reviews recent trends in RoO included in recent preferential trade agreements (PTAs) involving the EU and/or the US. These reveal a steady and substantial movement towards adoption of similar approaches and illustrate that cooperation to reduce the trade-impeding effects of differences in RoO across jurisdictions is feasible. We argue that from a trade facilitation perspective such cooperation can and should pursue greater convergence between preferential and nonpreferential RoO, building on the developments observed in PTAs.

Keywords: Rules of Origin, WTO, Nontariff Measures, Trade Agreements, Convergence

JEL Classification: F13, F15, F53

Suggested Citation

Hoekman, Bernard and Inama, Stefano, Rules of Origin as Non-Tariff Measures: Towards Greater Regulatory Convergence (September 2017). Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies Research Paper No. RSCAS 2017/45, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3033842 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3033842

Bernard Hoekman (Contact Author)

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) ( email )

via Boccaccio 121
Florence, Florence 50133
Italy

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Economic Research Forum (ERF) ( email )

21 Al-Sad Al-Aaly St.
(P.O. Box: 12311)
Dokki, Cairo
Egypt

Stefano Inama

United Nations - Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ( email )

Palais des Nations
Office E 8074
Geneva, 1211
Switzerland

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