A protectionist policy refers to government actions taken to shield local businesses from foreign competition by making it harder or more expensive to import goods.

Governments often use the following tools to implement these policies:

• Tariffs: Extra taxes added to products brought in from other countries.
• Quotas: Strict limits on the total amount of a specific product that can be imported.
• Subsidies: Financial aid given by the government to local companies to help them compete.
• Administrative barriers: Rules or regulations that make importing goods difficult.

The main goals are to support infant industries (new businesses), protect local jobs, and prevent dumping (selling foreign goods at unfairly low prices). However, these policies are often criticized because they can lead to higher prices for consumers, less innovation, and retaliation from other countries through trade wars.