2024-11-24-联合国贸易发展委员-联合国贸易发展委员会-2024年贸易优惠展望（英）_105页_5mb

Trade Preferences Outlook 2024 Summary

Past Context

Non-reciprocal trade preferences (NRTPs) were established in the 1960s to support developing countries' exports and industrialization. Initially implemented through schemes like the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), NRTPs aimed to promote export growth and diversification. Long-term studies show NRTPs had a modest impact on diversification, with weaker effects in non-least-developed countries (non-LDCs). Least-developed countries (LDCs) benefited more from preferential treatment in sectors like textiles. Early critiques included limited tariff margins, restrictive rules of origin (RoO), lack of beneficiary participation, and insufficient utilization in some schemes, partly due to high compliance costs.

Current Situation

NRTPs face diminished effectiveness in today's trade environment. Global MFN tariffs have declined significantly over three decades, reducing preferences' margin advantage. Eroding preference margins and non-tariff barriers (NTMs) obstruct effective market access. Rules of origin constraints and RoO reforms have increased LDC exports, especially in goods like apparel. FTA proliferation reduces the benefit of traditional NRTPs. With NTMs imposing high compliance costs and climate policies affecting trade, NRTPs struggle to provide sufficient competitive advantages.

Future Recommendations

To enhance NRTP effectiveness, consider the following actions:

• Improve rules of origin implementation and data availability for facilitating preferential market access
• Co-design regional value chains and modernize cumulation rules among grantors and beneficiaries
• Align development assistance with NRTP needs and empower beneficiary countries in scheme design
• Adapt preferences for global supply chains and leverage industrial policies and technology transfer
• Explore new trade cooperation beyond tariff preference margins including regulatory cooperation and services

This assessment suggests NRTPs are no longer as effective in promoting export growth and diversification for most developing countries.