A Neo-Heckscher-Ohlin Model of Trade with Endogenous Production Patterns. The ongoing debate regarding the expected benefits of the recent trade agreement with the United States exemplifies that few aspects of international trade are well understood. Using inframarginal analysis, an approach developed by co-investigator 1, we expect to be able to advance our understanding in this field by producing what is arguably the most generalised model of trade. This will constitute an important accomplish ....A Neo-Heckscher-Ohlin Model of Trade with Endogenous Production Patterns. The ongoing debate regarding the expected benefits of the recent trade agreement with the United States exemplifies that few aspects of international trade are well understood. Using inframarginal analysis, an approach developed by co-investigator 1, we expect to be able to advance our understanding in this field by producing what is arguably the most generalised model of trade. This will constitute an important accomplishment that is likely to attract both international academic interest and international research funds to Australian research. In addition, as our model will be calibrated on the basis of our domestic production characteristics, our work will shed light on the socially optimum trade policy directions for Australia.Read moreRead less
Australia and the European Union: A study of a changing trade and business relationship. The project deepens understanding of the evolution of Australia-EU bilateral relations, and the EU's significant contribution to the Australian economy. It informs public debate and official dialogues in Australia and Europe about the ways in which the relationship may be fostered in future. Project findings contribute an understanding of the common ground and mutual support of Australia and the EU in intern ....Australia and the European Union: A study of a changing trade and business relationship. The project deepens understanding of the evolution of Australia-EU bilateral relations, and the EU's significant contribution to the Australian economy. It informs public debate and official dialogues in Australia and Europe about the ways in which the relationship may be fostered in future. Project findings contribute an understanding of the common ground and mutual support of Australia and the EU in international organisations such as WTO, and the further development of Australian and EU policies that will benefit bilateral trade and investment in both Australia and the EU. The research results will inform Australian government agencies in identifying policy options for further constructive relationships between Australia and the EU.Read moreRead less
ASEAN+3 Free Trade Agreement and Its Impact on Australia-Vietnam Trade. The ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea) free trade agreement endorsed by ASEAN Leaders in 2001 poses a serious trade diversion threat to Australia's goods and services trade to ASEAN and North Asia (reaching $33.9b and $85.0b respectively in 2001, see DFAT 2003). No research on this has been done or reported. The project, with Vietnam Institute for Trade collaboration, uses new analytical and empirical approaches to investigate ....ASEAN+3 Free Trade Agreement and Its Impact on Australia-Vietnam Trade. The ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea) free trade agreement endorsed by ASEAN Leaders in 2001 poses a serious trade diversion threat to Australia's goods and services trade to ASEAN and North Asia (reaching $33.9b and $85.0b respectively in 2001, see DFAT 2003). No research on this has been done or reported. The project, with Vietnam Institute for Trade collaboration, uses new analytical and empirical approaches to investigate this FTA and its implications to Australia's trade to a major ASEAN country, namely Vietnam, where 2002 trade reached $2.8b and Australia's global companies (eg. ANZ, Telstra, RMIT) currently have large operation.Read moreRead less
China's Exports and Growth and Major East Asia Summit Economies - Exploring Regional Impact and Policy Responses. The project benefits Australia's current long-term economic priorities and engagement with Asia in five ways. It provides: (1) collaborative research with East Asia Summit (EAS) networked experts on topics of mutual interest, (2) a new perspective on the effects of China on EAS4 trade and growth, (3) substantive improved findings on EAS4 economic and trade policy options, (4) signifi ....China's Exports and Growth and Major East Asia Summit Economies - Exploring Regional Impact and Policy Responses. The project benefits Australia's current long-term economic priorities and engagement with Asia in five ways. It provides: (1) collaborative research with East Asia Summit (EAS) networked experts on topics of mutual interest, (2) a new perspective on the effects of China on EAS4 trade and growth, (3) substantive improved findings on EAS4 economic and trade policy options, (4) significant inputs to analysis, debates and negotiations in the recently proposed EAS free trade agreement (FTA), and (5) useful applications to Australia's similar bilateral FTAs under negotiation (e.g., Australia-Korea and Japan FTAs).Read moreRead less
The New Politics of Trade: Complexity, Innovation and Policy Development in the Asia Pacific Region. In Australia and the Asia Pacific region the negotiation of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements has become a central element of the foreign economic policies of many countries. The outcomes of the project will have particular relevance for Australia: understanding how our trade partners determine their trade agendas, and being able to identify potential allies and obstacles to ....The New Politics of Trade: Complexity, Innovation and Policy Development in the Asia Pacific Region. In Australia and the Asia Pacific region the negotiation of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements has become a central element of the foreign economic policies of many countries. The outcomes of the project will have particular relevance for Australia: understanding how our trade partners determine their trade agendas, and being able to identify potential allies and obstacles to the securing of bilateral trade agreements, is crucial for the successful negotiation and conclusion of trade agreements. This project will contribute to our understanding of how the processes of globalization are reconfiguring interactions between government, business and civil society both within and across national boundaries. Read moreRead less
Globalization, WTO and sustainable development: new challenges, opportunities and implications for Australia. Australia is benefiting greatly from opening its economy and encouraging the same in its trading partners, particularly through the World Trade Organization (WTO). A major new challenge is to ensure that the WTO continues to enhance economic welfare by responding to recent criticisms levelled at it by anti-globalization groups. This project will analyse those groups' claims about the eff ....Globalization, WTO and sustainable development: new challenges, opportunities and implications for Australia. Australia is benefiting greatly from opening its economy and encouraging the same in its trading partners, particularly through the World Trade Organization (WTO). A major new challenge is to ensure that the WTO continues to enhance economic welfare by responding to recent criticisms levelled at it by anti-globalization groups. This project will analyse those groups' claims about the effects of trade and investment policy reforms, and of WTO rules and other contributors to globalization, by going beyond the traditional economic effects to examine effects on income distribution, poverty alleviation, the environment, labour, and food safety and security.Read moreRead less
APEC, the WTO and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs): which way forward for Japan's agricultural trade liberalisation? Japan is an important market for Australian farm products, but high import barriers prevent the full potential of this market from being realised. Japan has consistently presented stiff opposition to agricultural trade liberalisation - in APEC, at the WTO, and in bilateral free trade negotiations. The project, by identifying which negotiating arena is most likely to deliver ....APEC, the WTO and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs): which way forward for Japan's agricultural trade liberalisation? Japan is an important market for Australian farm products, but high import barriers prevent the full potential of this market from being realised. Japan has consistently presented stiff opposition to agricultural trade liberalisation - in APEC, at the WTO, and in bilateral free trade negotiations. The project, by identifying which negotiating arena is most likely to deliver an agreement to liberalise agricultural trade, will contribute to the advancement of Australia's economic and trading interests. Improving access to the Japanese market for agricultural products in the context of a broader trade agreement will generate substantial dividends for Australian farmers as well as tangible benefits for the wider community.Read moreRead less
An Economic Analysis of Migration Patterns in a Regionally Integrated World. Australia, among other countries, is pursuing a discriminatory free trade (i.e. RTA) agenda. The slow progress of WTO multilateral talks will exacerbate this trend. At the same time, the level of migration to developed countries, like Australia, has been growing. What are the implications of RTAs for immigration policy in Australia? How will RTAs, whether they include or exclude Australia, influence migration flows to a ....An Economic Analysis of Migration Patterns in a Regionally Integrated World. Australia, among other countries, is pursuing a discriminatory free trade (i.e. RTA) agenda. The slow progress of WTO multilateral talks will exacerbate this trend. At the same time, the level of migration to developed countries, like Australia, has been growing. What are the implications of RTAs for immigration policy in Australia? How will RTAs, whether they include or exclude Australia, influence migration flows to and from this country? Among other things, this project helps clarify the relationship between Australia's discriminatory trade liberalisation strategy and migration patterns. The underlying theme of this research is that trade policy should be designed so that it is consistent with the aims of migration policy.Read moreRead less
The impact of globalisation on inequality in a small regional economy: South Australia 1845-1925. The impact of globalisation on income inequality is currently of great concern to many. Globalisation, however, is not a new phenomenon. This study examines the effect of global forces on wage and personal wealth inequality in South Australia in the 19th and early 20th century. While other studies have examined the impact of trade on inequality at an aggregate level, using questionable comparisons, ....The impact of globalisation on inequality in a small regional economy: South Australia 1845-1925. The impact of globalisation on income inequality is currently of great concern to many. Globalisation, however, is not a new phenomenon. This study examines the effect of global forces on wage and personal wealth inequality in South Australia in the 19th and early 20th century. While other studies have examined the impact of trade on inequality at an aggregate level, using questionable comparisons, this study represents a conceptual leap forward by directly estimating changes in income and wealth inequality, and their association with changes in wages, commodity and asset prices over an extended period in a small regional economy.Read moreRead less
Biosecurity or Trade Barrier? The Economic Costs of Quarantine. Agricultural, fishing and forestry groups are united in supporting strict biosecurity measures, such as quarantine, in order to prevent any possibility of the importation of diseases. However, the importation of certain products from "diseased" countries does not necessarily mean that the disease will also be imported, and even if imported it may not result in the destruction of the local industry. The "diseased" countries obviousl ....Biosecurity or Trade Barrier? The Economic Costs of Quarantine. Agricultural, fishing and forestry groups are united in supporting strict biosecurity measures, such as quarantine, in order to prevent any possibility of the importation of diseases. However, the importation of certain products from "diseased" countries does not necessarily mean that the disease will also be imported, and even if imported it may not result in the destruction of the local industry. The "diseased" countries obviously remain competitive if they are able to export the products. Foreign quarantine restrictions are restricting Australia's access to international markets. The costs to consumers of the current zero-tolerance policy has not been quantified. The costs may indeed exceed the benefit.Read moreRead less