Import tariffs boost welfare despite falling productivity, new study finds.
The article explores how trade policies affect productivity and welfare in a small economy with different types of companies. It shows that welfare can be broken down into four parts: productivity, terms of trade, variety, and curvature. By using consumption subsidies, export taxes, or import tariffs, the economy can improve its allocation. An export subsidy increases productivity but lowers welfare, while an import tariff improves welfare even though productivity decreases.