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A protective tariff is an economic policy where a government imposes taxes on imported goods. The primary goal of these tariffs is to safeguard domestic producers from foreign competition by making imported products more expensive. This policy can help nascent industries in developing nations or bolster self-sufficiency in defense industries.1

While protective tariffs can shield domestic industries and potentially increase domestic employment by encouraging spending on local goods, they can also reduce consumption of imported items and lessen the incentive for domestic industries to innovate due to decreased foreign competition. Economists generally agree that free trade benefits the global economy, but arguments for protectionism often arise when domestic industries face hardship or job losses attributed to foreign competition.21

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