when a government tries to help industry, farming etc in its own country by taxing foreign goods that compete with it, so limiting the number that can be imported
Economists know that protectionism promotes inefficiency and waste.
protectionism and trade wars
—protectionist noun [countableC]
His reluctance to fight the trade issue politically will only help the protectionists succeed.
—protectionistadjectiveadj
protectionist laws that shield the nation’s computer industry from foreign competition