Ramsey Policies in a Small Open Economy with Sticky Prices and Capital∗

In this paper we study jointly optimal fiscal and monetary policies in a small open economy framework with capital and sticky prices. We consider the case of distortionary taxes on labor and capital, and no public debt. As in a closed economy set–up, in the steady state, the optimal inflation rate is zero, as well as the optimal tax on capital. The dynamic properties of optimal monetary and fiscal policies in an open economy are qualitatively the same as those of a closed economy: the tax rate on capital income remains constant over the cycle, while both the nominal interest rate and the tax rate on labor income move although very smoothly, respectively to minimize the distortions implied by nominal rigidities and balance the budget.