(figure: home market i) what is the deadweight loss because of the tariff?

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SMART also calculates the impact of the trade policy change on tariff revenue, consumer surplus, and welfare.

Tariff revenue change on a given import flow is computed simply as the final ad-valorem tariff multiplied by the final import value minus the initial ad-valorem tariff multiplied by the initial import value.

The graphics below illustrates the link between tariff revenue, consumer surplus and welfare changes. It depicts the market for a given imported good with D and S the demand and supply curves (export supply elasticity is infinite).

Impact of reducing a tariff from t0 to t1

(figure: home market i) what is the deadweight loss because of the tariff?

The left hand diagram depicts the current (pre cut) situation where the considered good faces a tariff (t0) which entails a domestic price of Pw+T0 (Pw is world price) and, given the structure of the demand, an imported quantity of Q0. The following variables are captured by the graphics:

  • Initial Tariff Revenue (TR0): is represented by the horizontal red stripe rectangle and is equal to Q0*T0.
  • Initial Consumer Surplus (CS0): is representedby the diagonal blue stripe triangle and is broadly defined as the difference between the consumer's willingness to pay (marginal value) and the amount she actually pays.
  • Initial Dead-Weight Loss (DWL0): is representedby the vertical green stripe triangle and represents what the economy looses in terms of welfare by imposing tariff t0 on the imported good.

The right hand graphics depicts the impact of reducing the tariff from t0 to t1. Since the domestic price (Pw+t1) is lowered compared with the initial state, import demand increases from Q0 to Q1 with consequences on the variables seen above:

  • Final Tariff Revenue (TR1): is representedby the horizontal stripe rectangle and is equal to Q1*T1. The result is not straightforward and depends on the magnitude of the import demand elasticity.
  • Final Consumer Surplus (CS1): is represented by the diagonal stripe triangle. This result is not calculated by SMART, despite the (improper) use of the term Consumer Surplus in some results provided by SMART.
  • Final Dead-Weight Loss (DWL1): is represented by the vertical green stripe triangle and represents what the economy still looses in terms of welfare because of the remaining tariff protection.
  • Welfare Change (DW): is represented by the a-b-c-d area and is what the economy as a whole gains by reducing the tariff from t0 to t1 (the reduction in dead-weight loss). This gain is made of:
  • The additional tariff revenue entailed by the increase in imports (Q1-Q0)*t1
  • The additional consumer surplus entailed by the increase in imports
    ½*(Q1-Q0)*(t0-t1).

It should be noted that tariff revenue change is made of two opposite effects:

  • A tariff revenue loss at constant import value, which corresponds to a transfer from the State to consumers and is equal to Q0*(t0-t1).
  • A tariff revenue gain through the increase in imports which enlarges the tax base and is equal to (Q1-Q0)*t1.

Using SMART internal import demand elasticity values, the tariff liberalization simulation returns a negative tariff revenue change (that is revenue gain from increased imports not enough to dominate revenue loss due to tariff decrease) in most cases.

A deadweight loss is a cost to society created by market inefficiency, which occurs when supply and demand are out of equilibrium. Mainly used in economics, deadweight loss can be applied to any deficiency caused by an inefficient allocation of resources.

Price ceilings, such as price controls and rent controls; price floors, such as minimum wage and living wage laws; and taxation can all potentially create deadweight losses. With a reduced level of trade, the allocation of resources in a society may also become inefficient.

Key Takeaways

  • When supply and demand are out of equilibrium, creating a market inefficiency, a deadweight loss is created.
  • Deadweight losses primarily arise from an inefficient allocation of resources, created by various interventions, such as price ceilings, price floors, monopolies, and taxes.
  • These factors lead to the price of a product not being accurately reflected, meaning goods are either overvalued or undervalued.
  • If the price of a product is not reflected accurately, this leads to changes in consumer and producer behavior, which usually has a negative impact on the economy.

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What is Deadweight Loss?

Understanding Deadweight Loss

A deadweight loss occurs when supply and demand are not in equilibrium, which leads to market inefficiency. Market inefficiency occurs when goods within the market are either overvalued or undervalued. While certain members of society may benefit from the imbalance, others will be negatively impacted by a shift from equilibrium.

Important

When consumers do not feel the price of a good or service is justified when compared to the perceived utility, they are less likely to purchase the item.

For example, overvalued prices may lead to higher profit margins for a company, but it negatively affects consumers of the product. For inelastic goods—meaning demand does not change for that particular good or service when the price goes up or down—the increased cost may prevent consumers from making purchases in other market sectors. In addition, some consumers may purchase a lower quantity of the item when possible.

For elastic goods—meaning sellers and buyers quickly adjust their demand for that good or service if the price changes—consumers may reduce spending in that market sector to compensate or be priced out of the market entirely.

Undervalued products may be desirable for consumers but may prevent a producer from recuperating their production costs. If the product remains undervalued for a substantial period, producers will either choose to no longer sell that product, up the price to equilibrium, or may be forced out of the market entirely.

How Deadweight Loss Is Created

Minimum wage and living wage laws can create a deadweight loss by causing employers to overpay for employees and preventing low-skilled workers from securing jobs. Price ceilings and rent controls can also create deadweight loss by discouraging production and decreasing the supply of goods, services, or housing below what consumers truly demand. Consumers experience shortages and producers earn less than they would otherwise.

Taxes also create a deadweight loss because they prevent people from engaging in purchases they would otherwise make because the final price of the product is above the equilibrium market price. If taxes on an item rise, the burden is often split between the producer and the consumer, leading to the producer receiving less profit from the item and the customer paying a higher price. This results in lower consumption of the item than previously, which reduces the overall benefits the consumer market could have received while simultaneously reducing the benefit the company may see in regard to profits.

Monopolies and oligopolies also lead to deadweight loss as they remove the aspects of a perfect market, in which fair competition accurately sets a price. Monopolies and oligopolies can control supply for a specific good or service, thereby falsely increasing its price. This would eventually lead to a lower amount of goods and services sold.

Example of Deadweight Loss

A new sandwich shop opens in your neighborhood selling a sandwich for $10. You perceive the value of this sandwich to be $12 and, therefore, are happy to pay $10 for it. Now, assume the government imposes a new sales tax on food items which raises the cost of the sandwich to $15. At $15, you feel that the sandwich is overvalued and believe that the new cost is not a fair price and, therefore, are not willing to buy the sandwich at $15.

Many consumers, but not all, feel this way about the sandwich and the sandwich shop sees a decrease in demand for its sandwich and a decline in revenues. The deadweight loss in this example is the unsold sandwiches as a result of the new $15 cost. If the decrease in demand is severe enough, the sandwich shop could go out of business, further increasing the negative economic effects of the new tax.

What is the deadweight loss because of the tariff?

We call this the “deadweight loss” of the tariff. . That is, to raise output from Q* to Q1 costs (b + γ) in economic resources but only costs γ if the good is imported. Area -d is the “consumption efficiency loss” from forcing consumers to cut consumption and pay a higher price.

How is deadweight loss calculated?

In order to calculate deadweight loss, you need to know the change in price and the change in quantity demanded. The formula to make the calculation is: Deadweight Loss = . 5 * (P2 - P1) * (Q1 - Q2).

What is the deadweight loss in this market quizlet?

Deadweight loss refers to the benefits lost by consumers and/or producers when markets do not operate efficiently. The term deadweight denotes that these are benefits unavailable to any party.

What is the value of the deadweight loss at the equilibrium price of $15?

Refer to Figure 4-3. What is the value of the deadweight loss at the equilibrium price of $15? Yes, because $15 is the price where the marginal benefit is equal to the marginal cost.