Trade Liberalization Vs. Fiscal Needs: The Case of Agricultural and Food Imports

In recent decades, the pursuit of trade liberalization has emerged as a defining feature of global economic policy . Countries across the world, both developed and developing, have sought to reduce trade barriers in order to promote economic efficiency, market integration, and consumer welfare . However, this process often creates a critical tension between the goals of liberalization and the fiscal needs of the state. In particular, the reduction or removal of tariffs-traditionally a significant source of government revenue in many developing economies-poses complex challenges for fiscal stability and policy design