Does simultaneous implementation of import-substitution and export-promotion neutralize each other?

After clarifying the widespread terminological confusion regarding ‘import-substitution’, ‘export-promotion’ and ‘free trade’, this article focuses on an interesting debate about their complementarities. Particular attention will be paid to whether the simultaneous implementation of import-substitution and export-promotion neutralises each other and leads to free trade results. It will be argued that although this debate is stimulating, it has a number of important limitations and has very little bearing to actual trade policy implementation.