How they influence world trade

Rates are an important tool in the commercial policy of countries. Although the main goal is Protect local industry and generate tax incomeThey can also generate Commercial disputes And influence the final price of the products. While the economic tensions between powers such as the United States, China and the European Union continue, rates remain a determining factor in world trade.

The applied rate percentage varies considerably between countries. According to data from the World Bank, the developed economies in 2022 had low rates: Canada (1.4 %), the United States (1.5 %) and the European Union (1.8 %). However, development of countries such as Argentina (11.1 %) and Brazil (7.4 %) retain higher rates, while India (11.5 %) continues to protect certain strategic sectors.

ChinaThe second global economy applies an average weighted rate of 3.5 %, so that it is placed at an intervening point within global trade policy. Russia now maintains a percentage of 3.8 %, while Australia is 1 %.

Trade protection or barrier

Historically, rates have served to protect local industries against foreign competition. However, they can also generate adverse effects, such as the increase in imported goods and commercial reprisals by other countries. In recent years, conflicts such as the Commercial War between the United States and China have shown how rates can Become political pressure aids And economically.

He Agricultural and automotive sector They are usually the most protected in many economies. For example, the European Union imposes rates of a maximum of 40 % of agricultural products to protect its producers. In Latin -America Mercosur maintains a common external rate that varies according to the product, but in some cases greater than 30 %.

The future of rates in world trade

Trends indicate that trade agreements continue to play a key role in lowering the tariff barriers. Treaties such as the T-MEC in North America, the Regional Integral Economic Association (RCEP) in Asia and bilateral agreements between the EU and various economies try to facilitate trade or to eliminate or lower the rates in certain sectors.

Despite these efforts, geopolitical tensions and protectionism continue to influence the use of rates. With global economic uncertainty, countries will probably continue to adjust their commercial policy to balance the opening for the market and the protection of their local industries.

In an increasingly interconnected world, rates will remain a key factor in the economy, not only influence large companies and governments, but also consumers who pay the final price of this commercial policy.