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Published in:
2012 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
The Welfare Effect of International Cost Harmonization
Authors : Anthony Creane, Kaz Miyagiwa
Published in: Positive and Normative Analysis in International Economics
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK
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Cost harmonization is said to occur when foreign firms’ (marginal) costs are brought closer or equalized to those facing domestic rivals. Cost harmonization can occur for various reasons; for example, by falling transport costs, which brings the foreign firms’ cost down to the level facing the domestic firms. As another example, suppose that the foreign government dismantles its export subsidy programs. Then, the loss of subsidies raises the foreign firms’ costs, thereby closing the cost gap between the foreign and the home firms. In this case, the cost is closed by a rise in the foreign firms’ cost.