Theoretical Essays on Environmental Policies and International Trade Conflict

Identifier:  TDX:4140

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4140

Authors:  Zhang, Mimi

Abstract:
The doctoral dissertation consists of two research topics. The first two chapters focus on the development of mechanisms for environmental policy design. The researchers propose emissions tax mechanisms and environmental investment subsidy mechanisms to identify the most effective policies. The third chapter explores the impact of international trade conflict on firm behavior, industry profits, and consumer surplus. The study finds that the likelihood of trade conflict affects firm behavior and negatively impacts investment, production costs, and exports. The researchers also find that the effects of the likelihood of trade conflict differ between leading and fast-growing economies. While an increase in the probability of trade conflict may be relatively beneficial to the home economy, it may not necessarily be beneficial in absolute terms. Further research is needed to analyze the effectiveness of environmental regulations in the face of trade conflict, the impact of trade conflicts on the adoption and diffusion of sustainable technologies, and the role of trade agreements in reconciling trade and environmental objectives.