'Non-tariff measures more detrimental'

The impact on trade of non-tariff measures is sometimes even more detrimental than tariffs, according to tralac researcher JB Cronje. “Existing literature that quantifies the effect of non-tariff measures by estimating an ad-valorem tariff equivalent, indicates that non-tariff measures almost double the level of trade restrictiveness imposed by tariffs, and that the average ad-valorem tariff equivalent for agricultural products appears much higher than that for manufactured goods.