Economic stagnation and the resurgence of trade restrictions
The recession that has plagued the global
economy during the past three years has
given rise to a worldwide wave of protectionism.
Confronted with stagnant economic activity
and high and rising unemployment, many
countries have turned increasingly to restrictions
on imports, or to special subsidies that
increase the price competitiveness of their
products in international markets. The immediate
concerns of policy makers about
depressed output and high unemployment
have contributed to the diversion of their
attention toward trade-distorting policies.
These policies are perceived by some as
remedies for the economic ills of unemployment
and under-utilization of plant
and equipment, but at best such policies only
mask the symptoms and are likely to be met
by offsetting distortions by another country's
government.