Rising protectionism: Challenges, threats and opportunities for Australia

Commission research paper

This research paper was released on 19 July 2017 and outlines a three pronged strategy that would help achieve better outcomes for all Australians and foster public confidence in open markets.

Download the paper

Technical paper: Modelling Protectionist Trade Policies

This technical paper supports the Commission's research report, Rising Protectionism: challenges, threats and opportunities for Australia. It documents the modelling undertaken to illustrate the economic effects of potential changes in the trade environment facing Australia.

The paper has three sections. Section 1 outlines the modelled scenarios. Section 2 summarises the features of the models used for the project, and explains how the choice of closure assumptions can affect model results. Section 3 contains an analysis of the scenarios modelled.

The modelling is available on request from the Productivity Commission in the form of zip files that allow the results to be reproduced and analysed in more detail.

Infographic: Rising Protectionism Skip to text version of infographic Download the infographic High resolution - Rising Protectionism (PDF - 3061 Kb) Rising Protectionism (Text version of infographic) Protectionism means the use of measures that restrict trade, like tariffs that raise the price of imports. 'We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs.' - U.S. President Donald Trump Stock of new trade restrictions has quadrupled: 324 in 2010 and 1263 in 2015. Australia should resist the urge to follow suit. In the event of a serious global increase in protectionist measures… What could the costs be for Australians? $1500/yr hit to households 100 000 in job losses Up to 5% of Australia's capital stock could be mothballed, equivalent to nearly half of the investment in the mining sector over the past 10 years. Nearly half over 10 years. Australia should remain open to remain prosperous. But how? Trade with like minded partners Multi-country trade agreements Read the full research report.