Tullipolitiikka

Tullipolitiikka, or tariff policy, refers to a government’s strategy for regulating cross-border trade through tariffs and related controls on imports and exports. It aims to influence the price and availability of goods, raise government revenue, protect domestic industries, and address strategic or security concerns. Tariff policy operates within the broader framework of a country’s trade policy and its obligations under international agreements.

Instruments used include tariffs (ad valorem or specific), tariff-rate quotas, export duties or bans, import licensing and quotas, rules of origin, and non-tariff measures such as technical standards, sanitary and phytosanitary rules, and licensing regimes. Many economies also employ anti-dumping and countervailing duties to offset unfair foreign pricing and subsidies.

Policy effects include higher domestic prices for imported goods, which can shield domestic producers and protect jobs, but also raise costs for consumers and firms relying on imported inputs. Tariffs can distort resource allocation and invite retaliation, while non-tariff barriers can provide protective effects with different administrative costs and complexities.

Global context and governance involve multilateral rules under the World Trade Organization (WTO), where tariffs and concessions are negotiated and bound. Tariff policy often includes MFN and preferential rates. In Finland and other EU member states, external tariff policy is set at the EU level, with the Common External Tariff applying to non-EU imports; within the EU, goods move freely among member states, while external trade is governed by EU policy and sanctions regimes.

Policy considerations balance revenue needs, protection of strategic industries, employment effects, consumer welfare, and compliance with international obligations, while assessing potential retaliation and trade diversification.