protectionist
n. C1 Advanced US //pɹəˈtɛkʃənɪst// UK //pɹətˈɛkʃənˌɪst// pro·tec·tion·ist
n. a person who supports government rules that make it harder for foreign companies to sell their goods in a country. They want to protect local businesses from foreign competition.
n. a person who advocates for trade policies that restrict imports to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. Often associated with high tariffs or quotas to maintain local economic stability.
The protectionist wants to raise taxes on imported cars.
The protectionist argued that the new tariffs would save thousands of local jobs in the steel industry.
Economists often debate whether a protectionist policy truly safeguards national security or merely creates inefficiencies by insulating domestic markets from global price competition.