The Review of International Organizations(SSCI), 2018, Volume 15

Authors: Ka Zeng, Karen Sebold, and Yue Lu

Abstract: This paper examines the influence of growing global value chain (GVC) integration on the pattern of corporate lobbying for trade liberalization in the United States. We hypothesize that industries with a higher level of foreign content embodied in their exports should be more likely to support trade liberalization. This is because reduced tariff barriers should substantially reduce both the costs of inputs for such industries and the rents that may be obtained through protectionist policies. We test our hypotheses through an examination of the lobbying and election finding activities of the Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. between 2006 and 2012, using the debate over the Trans-Pacific Partnership to orient our analysis. Research findings, which corroborate our main hypotheses, point to the need to revisit conventional models of industry demand for trade liberalization in light of the growing, integration of trade, production, and investment activities inthe global economy.

Key Words: Global value chains; Trans-Pacific Partnership; Trade lobbying; Trade liberalization