Government Intervention and Regional Economic Integration PDF

GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION BUSINESS:THE NEW REALITIES AND 4TH EDITION, GLOBAL EDITION REGIONAL BY CAVUSGIL, KNIGHT, AND ECONOMIC RIESENBERGER INTEGRATION GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Governments intervene in trade...

GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION BUSINESS:THE NEW REALITIES AND 4TH EDITION, GLOBAL EDITION REGIONAL BY CAVUSGIL, KNIGHT, AND ECONOMIC RIESENBERGER INTEGRATION GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Governments intervene in trade and investment to achieve political, social, or economic objectives.  Protectionism – National economic policies that restrict free trade. Usually intended to raise revenue or protect domestic industries from foreign competition. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Customs – The checkpoint at national ports of entry where officials inspect imported goods and levy tariffs.  Tariff – A tax on imports (e.g., Citrus, textiles). Nontariff trade barrier – Government policy, GOVERNMENT regulation, or procedure that impedes trade. INTERVENTION: KEY Quota – Quantitative restriction on imports of a INSTRUMENTS specific product (e.g., Imports of Japanese cars). Investment barriers – Rules or laws that hinder foreign direct investment (e.g., Mexico’s restrictions in its oil industry).  EXAMPLE OF PROTECTIONISM: U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY ◼ The U.S. government impose tariffs on imports of foreign steel to protect U.S. steel manufacturers from foreign competition, aiming to give the U.S. steel industry time to restructure and revive itself. ◼ However, it resulted in: ◼ Higher steel costs. ◼ Increased production costs for firms that use steel, such as Ford, Whirlpool, and General Electric. ◼ Reduced prospects for selling products in world markets, making U.S. steel firms less competitive. ◼ The steel tariffs were removed within two years. EXAMPLE OF PROTECTIONISM: AUTO INDUSTRY ◼ In the 1970s, the U.S. government imposed “voluntary” export restraints (quotas) on imports of cars from Japan, to insulate the U.S. auto industry from foreign competition. ◼ Result 1: Detroit automakers had less of an incentive to improve quality, design, and overall product appeal. ◼ Result 2: Detroit’s ability to compete in the global auto industry weakened.  Reduced supply of goods to buyers. Price inflation. CONSEQUENCES Reduced variety, fewer choices available to OF buyers. PROTECTIONISM Reduced industrial competitiveness. Various adverse unintended consequences (e.g., While the home country dithers, other countries can race ahead). Tariffs can generate substantial government revenue. This is a key rationale for protectionism in undeveloped economies. Helps ensure the safety, security, and welfare of citizens. e.g., Most countries have basic GENERAL regulations to protect the national food supply. RATIONALE FOR GOVERNMENT Helps the government pursue broad economic, political, and social objectives for the nation. INTERVENTION Can serve the interests of the nation’s firms and industries. DEFENSIVE RATIONALE FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Protection of the national economy – Weak or young economies sometimes need protection from foreign competitors. e.g., India imposed barriers to shield its huge agricultural sector, which employs millions. Protection of an infant industry – A young industry may need protection, to give it a chance to grow and succeed. e.g., Japan long protected its car industry. National security – The United States prohibits exports of plutonium and similar products to North Korea. National culture and identity – Canada restricts foreign investment in its movie and TV industries.  National strategic priorities – Protection helps ensure the development of industries that bolster the nation’s economy. Countries create better jobs and higher tax revenues OFFENSIVE when they support high value-adding industries, such as IT, RATIONALE FOR automotive, pharmaceuticals, or financial services. GOVERNMENT Increase employment – Protection helps INTERVENTION preserve domestic jobs, at least in the short term. However, protected industries become less competitive over time, especially in global markets, leading to job loss in the long run. TARIFFS ARE ◼ Harmonized code – Standardized worldwide system that determines tariff amount. WIDESPREAD ◼ In developing economies, tariffs are common. ◼ In advanced economies, tariffs still provide significant revenue. ◼ For example, each year the U.S. collects more tariff revenue on shoes than on cars (e.g., $1.63 billion versus $1.60 billion). ◼ The European Union applies tariffs up to 215% on meat, 116% on cereals, and 17% on tennis shoes. IMPORT TARIFFS HAVE BEEN DECLINING Governments have reduced tariffs over time, mainly via the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which became the World Trade Organization (WTO). Economic integration also leads to lower tariffs, but only within economic blocs. e.g., Under NAFTA, Mexico eliminated nearly all tariffs on imports from the U.S., but maintains tariffs with the rest of the world. China reduced its tariffs since joining the WTO in 2001. Firms bypass tariffs by entering countries via FDI. e.g., Toyota built factories in the U.S. partly to avoid tariffs.  Subsidies are government grants (monetary or other resources) to firm(s), intended to ensure their survival or success by facilitating production at reduced prices, or encouraging exports. SUBSIDIES (CONT’D) Grants include cash, tax breaks, infrastructure construction, or government contracts at inflated prices.  ECONOMIC FREEDOM ◼ Economic freedom is the absence of government coercion so that people can work, produce, consume, and invest however they want to. ◼ The Index of Economic Freedom assesses the rule of law, trade barriers, regulations, and other criteria. ◼ Virtually all advanced economies are “free”. ◼ Emerging markets are either “free” or “mostly free”. ◼ Most developing economies are “mostly unfree” or “repressed”. ◼ Economic freedom flourishes with appropriate of intervention; too much regulation harms the economy. COUNTRIES RANKED BY LEVEL OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM THE GATT (CONT’D) ◼ The GATT introduced the concept of most favored nation (renamed normal trade relations), according to which each member nation agreed to extend the tariff reductions covered in a trade agreement with one country to all other countries. A concession to one became a concession to all. ◼ In 1995 the GATT was superseded by the World Trade Organization (WTO), and grew to include 150 member nations. ◼ The GATT and WTO presided over the greatest global decline in trade barriers in history. MARKET LIBERALIZATION IN CHINA ◼ In 1949, China established communism and centralized economic planning. ◼ Agriculture and manufacturing were controlled by inefficient state-run industries. ◼ The country was long closed to international trade. ◼ In the 1970s, China liberalized its economy. ◼ In 2001, China joined the WTO. ◼ China is now a key member of world trading system.  HOW FIRMS CAN RESPOND TO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ◼ Research to gather knowledge and intelligence. ◼ Understand trade and investment barriers abroad. Scan the business environment to identify the nature of government intervention. ◼ Choose the most appropriate entry strategies. ◼ Most firms choose exporting as their initial strategy, but if high tariffs are present, other strategies should be considered, such as licensing, or FDI and JVs that allow the firm to produce directly in the market. HOW FIRMS CAN RESPOND TO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION (CONT’N) ◼ Take advantage of foreign trade zones. ◼ FTZs are areas where imports receive preferential tariff treatment, intended to stimulate local economic development. e.g., A successful experiment with FTZs has been the maquiladoras — export-assembly plants in northern Mexico. ◼ Seek favorable customs classifications for exported products. ◼ Reduce exposure to trade barriers by ensuring that products are classified properly. HOW FIRMS CAN RESPOND TO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION (CONT’N) ◼ Take advantage of investment incentives and other government support programs. Examples: ◼ The government of Hong Kong put up much of the cash to build the Hong Kong Disney Park. ◼ Mercedes-Benz received several hundred million dollars in subsidies to build a plant in the U.S. state of Alabama. ◼ Lobby for freer trade and investment. Increasingly, nations are liberalizing markets in order to create jobs and increase tax revenues. REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION ◼ The growing economic interdependence that results when nations within a geographic region form an alliance aimed at reducing barriers to trade and investment. ◼ Over 50 percent of world trade today occurs under some form of preferential trade agreements signed by groups of countries. ◼ Cooperating nations obtain: ◼ increased product choices, productivity, living standards, ◼ lower prices, and ◼ more efficient resource use ECONOMIC BLOC ◼ A geographic area consisting of two or more countries that agree to pursue economic integration by reducing tariffs and other barriers to the cross-border flow of products, services, capital, and, in more advanced cases, labor. ◼ Examples: European Union, NAFTA, MERCOSUR, APEC, ASEAN, and many others. ◼ There are five possible levels of economic integration. FIVE POTENTIAL LEVELS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION LEVELS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION ◼ Free trade area: Simplest, most common arrangement. Member countries agree to gradually eliminate formal trade barriers within the bloc, while each member maintains an independent international trade policy with countries outside the bloc. One example is NAFTA. ◼ Customs union: Similar to a free trade area except the members harmonize their trade policies toward nonmember countries, by enacting common tariff and nontariff barriers on imports from nonmember countries. MERCOSUR is an example. LEVELS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION (CONT’D) ◼ Common market: Like a customs union, except products, services, and factors of production such as capital, labor, and technology can move freely among the member countries. e.g., The EU countries put in place many common labor and economic policies. ◼ Economic union: Like a common market, but members also aim for common fiscal and monetary policies, and standardized commercial regulations. The EU is moving toward an economic union by forming a monetary union with a single currency, the euro. THE MOST ACTIVE ECONOMIC BLOCS THE EU: A FULL-FLEDGED ECONOMIC UNION 1. Market access. Tariffs and most nontariff barriers have been eliminated. 2. Common market. Barriers to cross-border movement of production factors—labor, capital, and technology. 3. Trade rules. Cross-national customs procedures and regulations have been eliminated, which has streamlined transportation and logistics within Europe. 4. Standards harmonization. Technical standards, regulations, and enforcements have been harmonized. 5. Common fiscal, monetary, taxation, and social welfare policies is the ultimate goal over time. THE EUROPEAN UNION TODAY ◼ 27 members. Founders members are Belgium, Italy France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. ◼ New members such as Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic – are low-cost manufacturing sites. ◼ Peugeot, Citroën (France) – factories in Czech Republic ◼ Hyundai (South Korea) – Kia plant in Slovakia ◼ Suzuki (Japan) – factory in Hungary ◼ Most new EU entrants are in Eastern Europe – one-time satellites of the Soviet Union, most are emerging markets with fast economic growth rates. NAFTA (CANADA, MEXICO,THE UNITED STATES) ◼ Passage of NAFTA in 1994 was facilitated by the maquiladora program, thru which U.S. firms located factories just south of the U.S. border to access low-cost labor without significant tariffs. NAFTA: ◼ Eliminated tariffs and most nontariff barriers for products and services. ◼ Established trade and investment rules, uniform customs procedures, and intellectual property rights. ◼ Provided procedures for settling trade disputes. EL MERCADO COMUN DEL SUR (MERCOSUR) ◼ The leading economic bloc in South America, accounting for nearly all of the region’s GDP. ◼ Launched in 1991, the four initial members were Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. ◼ Established free movement of products and services, common external tariff and trade policy, and coordinated monetary and fiscal policies. ◼ May be integrated with NAFTA and DR-CAFTA as part of a future Free Trade Area of the Americas. OTHER ECONOMIC BLOCS ◼ Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). ◼ Comunidad Andina de Naciones (CAN). ◼ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ◼ Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). ◼ Australia and New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Agreement (CER) WHY DO NATIONS PURSUE ECONOMIC INTEGRATION? ◼ Expand market size ◼ Increases size of the marketplace for firms inside the economic bloc. Belgium has a population of just 10 million; the EU has a population of nearly 500m. ◼ Buyers can access larger selection of goods. ◼ Achieve economies of scale and productivity ◼ Bigger market facilitates economies of scale. ◼ Internationalization inside the bloc helps firms learn to compete outside the bloc. ◼ Competition and efficient resource usage inside the bloc leads to lower prices for bloc consumers. WHY NATIONS PURSUE ECONOMIC INTEGRATION (CONT’D) ◼ Attract direct investment from outside the bloc ◼ Compared to investing in stand-alone countries, foreign firms prefer to invest in countries belonging to an economic bloc. General Mills, Samsung, and Tata have invested heavily in EU-member countries. ◼ Acquire stronger defensive and political posture ◼ Belonging to a bloc provides member countries with a stronger defensive posture relative to other nations and world regions. This was a key motive for formation of the European Union.