A Creative PEC Discussion Paper
Muharrem Cevik, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University and Giorgio Fazio and Sara Maioli, Newcastle University and Creative PEC.
Abstract
This study uses gravity models to analyse the impact of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and their depth on the bilateral trade of cultural goods from 1999 to 2019. Our findings indicate that the formation of an RTA increases overall bilateral cultural trade by 27% among member states, with the most significant impacts observed in cultural heritage and visual arts sub-groups. RTAs also exhibit phasing-in effects, leading to significant trade increases in cultural heritage, visual arts, and printed matter sub-categories twelve years after an RTA formation.
We also explore whether RTAs containing culture-specific provisions—such as Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), Audio-Visual (AV) content, and Cultural Cooperation (CC)—increase trade more than RTAs that do not. Our analysis shows that the impact of these culture-specific provisions is contingent upon their legal enforceability. Specifically, RTAs with legally enforceable IPR provisions significantly boost overall bilateral cultural trade, particularly benefiting the trade in cultural heritage, music & performing arts, and audio & audio-visual media goods. Similarly, RTAs with legally enforceable AV and CC provisions have a substantially positive impact on overall cultural trade and on trade in specific goods within the audio & audio-visual media sub-group, such as films and video games. Overall, this study underscores the importance of RTAs for cultural trade. When considering the inclusion of culture-specific provisions in trade negotiations, however, our findings suggest that their effectiveness depends on being underpinned by legally enforceable clauses.
Citation
If the information in this report is used in any subsequent research and/or publications, please cite as follows: Cevik, M., Fazio, G. and Maioli, S. (2025) Regional Trade Agreements, Cultural Provisions and Trade in Cultural Goods. Creative PEC Discussion Papers Series. No. 2025/1. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15737339.
Creative PEC Discussion Paper Series
Creative PEC’s Discussion Papers are a collection of publications designed to share ideas and foster debate among academics, policymakers and practitioners on creative industries’ evidence and policies. The papers follow an editorial approval process aimed at preserving a pluralism of views whilst maintaining the high academic standards of Creative PEC.
All Discussion Papers are published subject to editorial discretion. Any views and interpretations expressed in Creative PEC Discussion Papers lie solely with the author(s) and should not be understood as being shared by Creative PEC, its staff (including the Editor of the Series), Newcastle University, the RSA, or the AHRC.
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