Protektsiooni

Protektsiooni, or protectionism in English, is an economic policy aimed at restricting imports to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. It uses instruments such as tariffs, import quotas, subsidies to domestic producers, and administrative barriers. Sometimes it includes measures like rules of origin, export restraints, and anti-dumping duties.

Historically, protektsiooni has been used to nurture infant industries, conserve strategic sectors, or respond to balance-of-payments problems. It gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributed to economic nationalism, and shaped episodes such as the interwar protectionism and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. Since the postwar era, multilateral liberalization under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and later the World Trade Organization has reduced tariffs, though many countries maintain selective protection for domestic industries or sectors.

Effects include potential short-term gains for protected industries, but higher consumer prices and less choice. The long-run impact depends on competition, market structure, and whether the protection is temporary. Protectionism can invite retaliation and trade distortions, and may hinder efficiency and innovation. In international law, many protections are allowed under WTO rules as exceptions, including national security and public-interest measures, but must comply with rules and dispute settlement.

Contemporary policy often favors targeted industrial policy or innovation-driven growth rather than broad-based protection. Critics argue protectionism lowers welfare, while supporters claim it preserves jobs and strategic capabilities. See also free trade, tariffs, anti-dumping, WTO.