Green Trade Barriers under the Developing Country Perspective

Abstract

The acceleration of the globalization process has led to an increase in international attention being paid to the role of green trade barriers in international trade, particularly from developing countries. Green trade barriers have a dual role: on the one hand, they can facilitate sustainable economic growth in developing countries; on the other hand, they impose restrictions on the trade and exports of developing countries. When considered together, the negative impacts of green trade barriers on developing countries outweigh their positive impacts. The extensive, hidden, unequal, and controversial nature of green trade barriers makes developing countries highly passive in national trade. To realize the benign development of international trade, according to the development trend and characteristic impacts of green trade barriers, we put forward measures for developing countries to deal with foreign green barriers. To mitigate the adverse effects of green trade barriers on developing countries, these countries need to formulate environmental and technical standards in alignment with international standards, implement rigorous domestic environmental protection industrial policies, leverage the full potential of WTO rules, foster enhanced regional and international collaboration, reinforce environmental protection legislation, and establish robust early warning mechanisms. By taking these measures, developing countries can effectively mitigate the negative impacts of green trade barriers and facilitate their economic growth.

Keywords

• green trade barriers
• developing countries
• measures
• international trade
• environmental protection