Abstract:

Attempts are being made to promote greater liberalization of international trade through the participation of numerous states in global agreements and organizations. In various economic integrations, efforts are made to integrate markets for products and services as if there were no state borders. On the other hand, the liberalization of foreign trade policies may not always align with countries’ interests, leading to the implementation of protectionist measures. Despite the disapproval of international trade organizations, it can be argued that states primarily seek to enhance their own welfare by implementing protectionist policies. This study aims to ascertain the impact of protectionist measures implemented in import regulations on economic growth. For research purposes, the tax rates applied to the import of commercial goods and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were identified as essential variables. A model encompassing 56 countries was constructed and subjected to analysis using the Panel ARDL approach. Based on the study’s findings, it can be observed that the implementation of higher customs tax rates, which is commonly perceived as a protectionist strategy, negatively impacts long-term economic growth. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the effects of tax rates imposed on various product categories on economic growth.

Keywords: