Bedre markedsadgang? Nye utfordringer, nye løsninger i handelspolitikken

Abstract

The thesis «Better Market Access? New Challenges, New Trade Policy Instruments» addresses what conditions are critical for the ability of exporting countries to ensure market access for its products in foreign markets? The four qualitative studies of the thesis treat both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, and discuss the range of policy instruments available to reduce and remove trade barriers. The main findings of the thesis are that internal factors such as defensive trade interests and lacking national capacity can have negative effects on the ability of states to ensure and improve market access. Furthermore, asymmetrical power-dependence relations can put importing countries in a position to dictate market conditions, restrict and refuse market access. The man conclusion is nevertheless that exporting states can benefit from adapting more proactive policies and cooperating long term and more systematically with trading partner on different levels. In particular, the thesis emphasizes the value of soft/non-binding regulatory cooperation to prevent and reduce non-tariff barriers to trade.