NON-PROTECTIONIST MEASURES IN GLOBAL TRADE: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE WORLD ECONOMY

Abstract

The article addresses the current issues in the development of trade and economic relations between countries in the context of the increasing use of non-protectionist measures. It outlines the challenges in the global economy that impact relationship development, particularly the rise of protectionist measures. The combination of protectionist measures and geopolitical challenges raises concerns about the trajectory of globalization, leading to noticeable manifestations of deglobalization, a process characterized by a reduction in global economic interdependence. The study characterizes general trends in influencing international trade through the implementation of both protectionist and liberalization measures. An analysis of the structure of these measures is conducted, providing insights into the types of measures implemented in the trade of goods and services. The proportional relationship between protectionist and liberalization measures from 2009 to 2022 is examined. The findings reveal that the quantity of protectionist measures significantly surpasses liberalization measures in both goods and services trade. However, in services trade, the annual number of liberalization measures is 136 times less than protectionist measures for the year 2022. The article profiles leading countries that exert the most influence on global trade based on the number of implemented measures. Special attention is given to non-protectionist measures, which are analyzed by types. Their impact on trade is explored using coverage ratios and frequency indices, allowing for the assessment of the share of products affected by one or more non-tariff measures and the portion of goods or trade operations covered by non-protectionist measures. As a result of the research, it is determined that the highest coverage ratio is observed concerning the implementation of technical barriers to trade. Additionally, an analysis of the implementation of technical, sanitary, and phytosanitary measures by product groups provides a more detailed understanding of the impact of these measures in different economic sectors.