In 2024, the volume of world trade reached a record 33 billion dollars. Duties: a measure to protect jobs or a trading blow ? Conor Lennon Economic development Over the past few months, the “Tariff” (or “fee”) has migrated from the pages of business publications to the headings of popular media – the leading economies of the worlds introduce tariffs or threaten other countries with them. However, trading duties are not only a pressure tool in the geopolitical struggle: with effective use, they can help poor countries effectively develop their economy. Each month, the UN Agency for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) presents updated information about what is happening in the world of global trade. Last March, the main attention was paid to tariffs. Although last year the volume of world trade reached the record 33 trillions of dollars, the prospects for 2025 remain uncertain, and the growing tension, protectionist policy and trade disputes signal the likely failures in the coming months. 62 > 62 > Director of the International Trade Department of the Junctad Lus Maria de La Mora is responsible for preparing a report on trends in global trade. At the beginning of her career, she was part of the Mexican team of negotiators, who in 1992 acted as an intermediary at the conclusion of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), whose heritage is still disputed. in an interview with the UN news service she explained that the tariffs were not necessarily in their own way The problem is: the problem consists in the uncertainty that arises due to the fact that large economic players redraw the rules of international trade. ~ 60 >~ 60 > Lus Maria de La Mora: Tariffs, which are essentially tax on Import, are part of an international trading system that has existed for almost eight decades. In 1948, a general agreement was concluded on tariffs and trade, also known as Gatt, and in 1995 it was replaced by the World Trade Organization (WTO). These two associations created a set of rules that give confidence to manufacturers, investors and exporters that tariffs will not change every year. Tariffs are still widely used, but they are introduced in accordance with the rules that were agreed within the WTO or regional organizations. 60 >~ 60 > UN news service: the largest tariffs are in trade between developing countries. Why ?~ 60 > Lusa de la Mora: 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 ~Developing countries usually seek to create a high level of protection, and there are several reasons for this. The country can strive to develop a certain industry, say, the automotive or chemical industry. One way to help this industry grow is to protect it from foreign competition with tariffs. ~ 60 > second reason why developing countries use tariffs is that in some cases the governments need to increase income. Tariffs are a tax, and tax is a profit that the government can spend on social needs, healthcare, education or infrastructure. However, this also means an increase in the cost of imported goods for consumers. 60 ~ BR > UN news service: you took an active part in the development of the North American Free Trade Agreement [between the USA, Canada and Mexico]. What did it lead to and why it caused disputes ? ~ 60 > Lus Maria de La Mora: 62 > 62 > 62 > 62Nafta was a very bold undertaking for several reasons. This was the first agreement on free trade between developing and developed countries, an experiment that has never been conducted before. Almost all tariffs between the three countries were canceled. Nafta changed the economy of Mexico. The volume of investments in the manufacturing industry has increased, many jobs have been created. Today, Mexico is the fourth largest car manufacturer in the world. This has demonstrated that integration can make the economy more effective and create more opportunities. ~ 60 > UN news service: those who criticize Nafta say that a decrease in tariffs meant the protection of certain sectors of the economy, and the employees were losing. But, according to your words, the workers in each country ultimately benefited from this. ~ 60 >~ 60 > LUSA Maria de La Mora: of course, in any zone of free There are always winners and losers. I am not saying that everything was rosy. Some sectors and companies ceased to exist. But the transformations that you see in the regions of the country that managed to integrate into the North American supply chain are very, very encouraging. In general, we observe a positive effect. Trade policy should be combined with a policy that ensures the training of those who have lost their jobs. It is necessary to maintain workplaces to people. 60 ~ p > in Mexico, for example, many programs for supporting the agricultural sector were developed – to help manufacturers to confront competition from the USA and Canada. Farmers began to produce more fruits and vegetables, which were not in Mexico before. Today, the country occupies first place in the export of tomatoes, avocados, berries and a number of other products. As a result, American consumers have a more balanced and healthy diet. Mexico, in turn, benefits from easy access to grain, wheat, corn, sorghum, as well as some types of beef, pork and poultry pork. 62 > UN news service: now many international trade agreements are called into question. Do you think that we are on the verge of the global trade war ?~ 60 >~ 60 >~ 60 > LUSA Maria de La Mora: 62 > 62 >Many important participants in world trade, such as the United States, the European Union and China, introduce tariffs or measures that do not correspond to their obligations within the WTO. This creates uncertainty and anxiety from the private sector. When large players begin to establish their own rules, instead of following the Rules of the WTO, many questions arise. ~ 60 > between countries there are always differences, some sectors are more subject to changes than others, and economic conditions may require certain intervention. Когда государства-члены принимают односторонние решения, это создает неопределенность, которая в итоге приведет к замедлению принятия инвестиционных решений в частном секторе и в торговле, к ограничению экономического роста и сокращению рабочих мест.
Служба новостей ООН: Если произойдет Slow down of the growth rate of the global economy, who will suffer the most ?~ 60 >~ 60 > 60 ~ Strong > Lus Maria de La Mora: 62 > 62 > 62 ~First of all, developing countries. Ninety -five developing countries of the world depend on their exports, which puts them in the power of international price trends. These countries need an effective international trading system that provides stability. They need a system in which the rules do not change without warning, without negotiations. That is why it is so important that the multilateral approach is preserved.
Facts about tariffs 60 ~/h2 ~ ~~ 60 > UN determines the tariffs as Customs duties on the import of goods levied either as a percentage of value or on a specific basis (for example, $ 7 per 100 kilograms). ~ 60 > ~ 60 > tariffs can be used to create price advantages for similar goods of local production and to increase state income. 60 ~ BR > Developed countries often use tariffs as part of a wider economic policy aimed at protecting individual industries or response to international trade dynamics. In contrast, developing states can introduce tariffs to protect new industries and support economic development. ~ 60 > Developed countries are more likely to participate in complex international trading agreements providing for a reduction in tariffs and other measures to simplify procedures trade. 60 > developing states can have less such agreements and use tariffs as a tool for negotiations on more favorable conditions. 62 ~