Trade Measures as Part of the Solution: How Compensatory Tariffs Can Help Save Endangered Sea Turtles

Abstract

In an effort to continue the discussion of the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies' October conference on trade measures and the environment, this paper explores how one trade measure, compensatory tariffs, which has been suggested in theory but never put into practice, might be appropriately used in the current debate over preserving endangered sea turtles. In a little-known scenario that closely parallels the tuna-dolphin conflict, U.S. trade policy currently imposes a complete embargo on shrimp imports as a stick to get countries to adopt sea turtle protection programs. The paper outlines a more cooperative approach that uses an environmental tariff to transfer financial and technological resources to developing countries for implementing such programs. In doing so, the author hopes to advance the discussion on how alternative trade policies can be developed that help create a more sustainable world trading system.