No. 46 - A short history of trade barriers in Italy

This paper summarizes and partially revisits the analyses and the results of some studies carried out in the recent past on the measurement of the intensity and effects of trade barriers in Italian history. Firstly, the research identifies the main turning points in Italian trade policy; it then shows that trade barriers recorded a sizeable decline between 1870 and 2000, giving a strong boost to the country's foreign trade. The gains from trade have been significant, especially since World War II.