Dynamics and Structure of Non-Tariff Measures Applied in International Trade

Trade volume growth in 2017, the strongest since 2011, was driven mainly by cyclicalfactors, particularly increased investment and consumption expenditure. The WTO isforecasting that global trade will expand in the coming years. The promising situationin international trade largely depends on the sustainability of global economic growthand the decisions of the largest countries’ governments regarding monetary, fiscal andespecially trade policies. High uncertainty is associated with the implementation ofnegative scenarios in the event that some countries will apply protectionist measuresand restrictive trade policy. Rising protectionism is a trend that has been strengtheningin international trade for more than ten years. A new wave of protectionism was linkedto the global financial and economic crisis. The recent steps taken by the United Statesadministration to decrease trade deficit with the key partners, China in particular, arethe most vivid example in this respect. Protectionism is reflected not only in the formof the introduction of tariff restrictions. Since the beginning of the 2000s, the role of non-tariff measures has grown significantly in the context of reducing tariff barriersin accordance with the WTO obligations and the rapid development of regional tradeagreements. This article analyzes the dynamics and structure of non-tariff measuresused in modern international trade and shows their relationship with the reduction oftariff restrictions and the development of preferential trade agreements. A similar analysis is done on the anti-dumping measures as one of the most common instruments of non-tariff regulation of international trade.