UNSC Membership and PTAs Zachary and Taemin

Research Question Is the United States more likely to form Preferential Trade Agreements with countries serving on the UN Security Council than with non-members?

Literature Review The political economy of the UNSC Countries trade aid for legitimacy How much is influence worth? The determinants of PTA formation Economic benefits Political calculations

Hypothesis The United States forms PTAs with small UNSC members to increase its influence.

Is Trade Different? Foreign aid Low cost Low visibility PTAs Winners and losers Organized and powerful opposition Require legislative approval

Methodology Vreeland and Dreher 2014 Baccini and Dur 2014

Descriptive Statistics

Initially Positive! UNSC Membership is significant across all models Determinants of PTA Accession with US, Lagged 9-11 Years UNSC Membership is significant across all models Contagion, distance and population also significant

A Closer Look

Conclusion Trade agreements may be too high a price to pay for influence on the UNSC Domestic political concerns The United States may use other forms of trade perks to buy influence Bilateral Investment Treaties Trade concessions