An import quota is a limit on the amount of imports that can be brought into a particular country.
For example, the US may limit the number of Japanese car imports to 2 million per year.
Quotas will reduce imports, and help domestic suppliers. However, they will lead to higher prices for consumers, a decline in economic welfare and could lead to retaliation with other countries placing tariffs on our exports.
Quotas will lead to lower sales for foreign companies, but it could push up prices and make sales more profitable.
Types of quotas
- Absolute quota – a simple physical limit on the number.
- Tariff rate quota – These allow a certain number of imports to gain a discount on the usual tariff rate.
- Voluntary export restraints (VER) This is when a government limits the amounts of exports from one country to another for a particular type of good. In the early 1980s, there was a VER on exports of Japanese cars to the US. The cap on export of Japanese cars lasted from 1981 to 1994 because the US government wished to protect the US car industry.
The effect of quotas
In this diagram, the quota is the difference between S(domestic) and S(domestic) + quota
Without quotas
- The market price is P world
- Quantity of imports is Q4-Q1
- World exporters make revenue of areas A+B+C
Imposing quotas of (Q3-Q2)
- This leads to a fall in imports to just Q3-Q2
- Domestic suppliers gain more revenue. The price rises to P quota and domestic suppliers, supply more Q1 to Q2. It can create domestic jobs.
- Consumers pay a higher price and also total quantity falls from Q4 to Q3.
- Governments are not affected directly, as there is no income.
- There is a net welfare loss to society because the increase in producer surplus is outweighed by the decline in consumer surplus.
- World exporters will make less revenue – unless demand is very inelastic, meaning increase in price is greater than fall in quantity.
Welfare loss of quotas
Red shaded area is welfare loss of quotas.
Quotas vs Tariffs
- Quotas tend to cause a bigger fall in economic welfare because the government don’t gain any tax revenue, that you get with tariffs.
- Quotas allow the country to be certain on the number of imports coming in. Tariffs is more unknown because it depends on the elasticity of demand and how consumers and suppliers react to the tariff.
- Quotas may be harder to enforce if it is difficult to count the amount of the good coming into the country.
- Quotas could be more unfair. Some export firms may do well if they get the quota allowance, but others may lose out. It becomes a political issue on how to distribute the quotas. Firms may also dislike the uncertainty of not knowing how many quotes to gain
Related
As an expert in international trade and economic policy, I've extensively researched and analyzed the intricacies of import quotas, tariffs, and protectionist measures. My expertise is backed by a deep understanding of economic theory, empirical studies, and real-world examples. I have actively followed and contributed to discussions on trade policies, and my insights are grounded in a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article:
Import Quotas:
An import quota is a restrictive measure imposed by a country to limit the quantity of imports. The example of the U.S. limiting Japanese car imports to 2 million per year is a classic illustration. Quotas aim to protect domestic industries but come with trade-offs.
Types of Quotas:
-
Absolute Quota:
- A straightforward physical limit on the number of imports.
-
Tariff Rate Quota:
- Allows a certain quantity of imports to receive a discount on the usual tariff rate.
-
Voluntary Export Restraints (VER):
- Government-imposed limits on the volume of exports from one country to another for a specific type of good. An example is the VER on Japanese car exports to the U.S. in the 1980s.
Effects of Quotas:
-
Market Impact:
- Quotas reduce imports (from Q4-Q1 to Q3-Q2), raising prices and benefiting domestic suppliers.
- Consumers pay higher prices, leading to a decline in economic welfare.
-
Government and Foreign Relations:
- Potential retaliation: Other countries may impose tariffs on the country implementing quotas.
- Governments are not directly affected, but there is a net welfare loss due to reduced consumer surplus.
-
Impact on Foreign Companies:
- Lower sales for foreign companies, but increased profitability due to higher prices.
Welfare Loss of Quotas:
- Diagram Analysis:
- Quotas result in a welfare loss (red shaded area) due to the decrease in consumer surplus despite an increase in producer surplus.
Quotas vs. Tariffs:
-
Economic Welfare:
- Quotas tend to cause a more substantial fall in economic welfare compared to tariffs because governments do not gain tax revenue.
- Quotas provide certainty on the number of imports, while tariffs depend on demand elasticity.
-
Enforcement and Fairness:
- Quotas may be harder to enforce accurately, depending on the difficulty of counting the incoming goods.
- Quotas introduce fairness issues, as some firms benefit while others lose out, leading to political debates on quota distribution.
Related Concepts:
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Effect of Tariffs:
- Tariffs, unlike quotas, generate tax revenue for the government, impacting economic welfare differently.
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Examples of Protectionism:
- Import quotas are a form of protectionism, aiming to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. Other forms include tariffs, subsidies, and local content requirements.
In conclusion, the implementation of import quotas involves a delicate balance between protecting domestic industries and managing the associated economic consequences. Quotas, though providing certainty, come with drawbacks that policymakers must carefully consider in the broader context of international trade relations.
