Trade liberalisation in South Africa once again

This paper attempts to reconcile and extend the debate in South Africa as to whether trade was liberalised in the nineties. The core studies in the debate are examined with a view to effecting their reconciliation. In particular the limitations of effective rates of protection as reflective of the stance of trade policy are explained and suggestions made for their use by policymakers. The paper concludes by suggesting that reliance on a single indicator such as effective rates of protection should be avoided.