Heterogeneity of FTA Environmental Protection Clauses,Internal-external Differentiation and Export Green Transformation
China has committed to peaking its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.In the context where"green"has become a principal theme of the new round of high-standard international economic and trade regulations,the capability of free trade agreement(FTA)environmental protection clauses to drive the green transformation of China's exports is critical not only for fulfilling China's dual carbon commitments but also for effectively advancing the economic green transformation during a new phase of high-quality development.This study utilizes data from China's regional FTAs and OECD input-output tables from 2002 to 2018.Through empirical analyses based on scientifically measured key indicators,it is found that only environmentally protective clauses with binding obligations,as opposed to those that are merely encouraging,can foster the green transformation of exports.This reveals the"heterogeneity"characteristic of FTA environmental clauses.Mechanism tests indicate that FTA environmental clauses drive the green transformation of exports by creating an export creation effect of green products and suppressing the export of pollution-intensive products.However,this structural improvement effect does not extend to exports to non-signatory parties;instead,there is an export transfer effect of pollution-intensive products to non-signatory parties,showcasing an"internal-external differentiation"characteristic of FTA environmental clauses.A heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of FTA environmental clauses on the green transformation of China's manufacturing exports is moderated by factors inherent to the signatory parties.By examining changes in the structure of export products within and outside FTA regions,the study reveals why those clauses that lack enforcement cannot effectively promote the green transformation of manufacturing exports,and only those environmental protection clauses that possess enforceable power can generate a creative effect for green products,thereby overcoming the pollution transfer phenomenon among market players within an industry and promoting a green transformation in the manufacturing export structure.This underscores the need for China to proactively integrate into the global network of high-standard FTAs.Environmental clauses should not merely remain at the stage of encouraging obligations but should evolve to be more binding,reflecting a deeper commitment in the trade agreements.This study not only deepens the understanding of factors influencing the green transformation of China's exports but also offers significant policy insights into how China can further promote institutional openness to advance the green transformation of exports.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
