The tables compare data on the amount of goods and the tax rates imposed on them as they pass through Rotterdam to different geographical destinations in 2002 and 2012. The total volume has increased, while the tax rate has changed differently across countries.
For most countries, there is a clear negative correlation between the mass of goods and the tax rates imposed. For instance, the amount of goods of produce headed to Europe has decreased by 500 million tonnes, following a 3% decrease in the tax rate. However, produce headed to the USA does not follow this trend, since exports headed there had decreased by 300 million tonnes despite a 1% decrease in taxes.
While the amount of goods headed to other countries remained still or decreased slightly, the tonnage bound to Pacific Asia and Australasia increased more than threefold, from 800 to 2550 million tons for Pacific Asia and from 700 to 2300 for Australasia. This reflects the increasing economic activity of this part of the world and the decrease in tax rates set.
In conclusion, between the years 2002 and 2012, the different approaches to taxing policy have increased the economic integration of Australasia and Pacific Asia, whilst decreasing it in the USA, Europe, China, and Latin America, whilst remaining unchanged in other countries.