The policy of shielding a country''s domestic industries from foreign competition through tariffs, quotas, and other trade barriers.

From Latin ''protegere'' (to cover in front), from ''pro-'' (in front) and ''tegere'' (to cover).

trade barriers economic nationalism import restriction tariff policy
free trade liberalisation open market globalisation
"Rising protectionism among major economies threatened to unravel decades of tariff liberalisation under the WTO."

Central to GS Paper 3 answers on international trade, the WTO, and self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat. Balance the infant-industry argument for protection against the efficiency gains of free trade when discussing tariffs, dumping, and export competitiveness.

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