Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP16956
Authors: Bernard Hoekman; Hugo Rojas-Romagosa
Abstract: Trade sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) are the main tool used by the European Commission to assess the potential effects of trade policy initiatives and to engage with stakeholders. SIAs have two elements: a model-based quantitative analysis and a consultation process. Both include a focus on a broad range of non-trade issues, many of which are included in sustainable development chapters of EU trade agreements. This paper argues for making consultation processes a more useful input into the design of trade cooperation. Scaled responses to a survey with closed end questions on a broad range of non-trade policy objectives combined with deliberative polling of a representative sample of survey respondents could help identify what stakeholders in the EU and partner countries perceive to be priority non-trade objectives, as well as issue-specific baselines, performance targets and appropriate instruments to apply. Building bridges between a revamped ex ante consultation process and mechanisms that encompass public and private actors to support implementation, resolve problems and assess progress over time could further help achieve trade and sustainable development goals.
Keywords: sustainability impact assessments; consultations; trade negotiations; nontrade issues; EU
JEL Codes: F13; J88; O19; Q01
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| improved consultation processes (O36) | identification of priority NTPOs (L31) |
| stakeholder engagement through surveys and deliberative polling (D72) | design of trade cooperation (F10) |
| design of trade cooperation (F10) | effectiveness of trade agreements in achieving sustainable development goals (F13) |
| recognition of stakeholder priorities (G38) | support for trade agreements (F13) |
| improved consultation processes (O36) | stakeholder engagement outcomes (O36) |