Rubber and Rubber Products

Attempting to provide a conceptual basis for disaggregate-level analysis of the implications of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement on rubber and rubber products, this article critically assesses the key provisions of the accord. The analysis reveals that the categorisation of tariff lines under six different groups is the most crucial component governing tariff policy and the implementation period. India's negative balance of trade in rubber and rubber products with ASEAN and the high annual average growth rate of imports of fi nished rubber products underline the need for close monitoring of the trends in external trade with the trading bloc at the disaggregate level.