Government commitment determines which country attracts all industrial firms in tax competition.
Industrial firms' location choices are influenced by tax competition between countries. This study looks at how two governments compete over time to attract firms by adjusting taxes and subsidies. The key finding is that governments' commitment to their policies is crucial. If they trust each other's tax policies, one country will attract all firms when trade costs are low. If policies are not trusted, both countries may attract an equal share of firms, even with low trade costs.