protectionist

noun pro·tec·tion·ist \ prə-ˈtek-sh(ə-)nist \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of protectionist

: an advocate of government economic protection for domestic producers through restrictions on foreign competitors

—

protectionism

play \prə-ˈtek-shə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

—

protectionist

adjective

Recent Examples of protectionist from the Web

Yet according to Gowling WLG's study, over the last decade the U.S. has in fact been more trade protectionist than an other country.

— kim hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Trump's tariff hikes rattle allies. Is he right?," 2 Mar. 2018
That will provide ammunition to the administration’s protectionists.

— The Economist, "How to interpret America’s experiment with huge budget deficits," 15 Feb. 2018
The one on steel includes pleas from otherwise-ardent protectionists to spare Canada.

— The Economist, "American tradeDonald Trump mulls restrictions on steel and aluminium imports," 22 Feb. 2018
Such provisions might even make Nafta and other trade agreements more attractive to wavering Republicans—free-traders and protectionists alike.

— kimberley a. strassel, WSJ, "Use Nafta to Ease Regulation," 12 Apr. 2018
This complaint is entirely valid and not limited to the U.S. or to trade protectionists.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Doubles Down on a Trade War He Can’t Win," 6 Apr. 2018
White House officials reiterated that message on a conference call for local news outlets Friday afternoon, as protectionists in the administration sought to harden the duties.

— justin sink, Bloomberg.com, "How Trump’s Snap Move on Tariffs Set Off a Week of Disarray," 8 Mar. 2018
For them and Europe’s many other agricultural protectionists, the Trump tariffs are a warning of the costs of missing an opportunity for trade opening.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "From One Donald to Another," 15 Mar. 2018
At the same time, Zandi and other experts wondered how Kudlow's free-trade stance will square with Trump's anti-globalization sentiments, not to mention with strident protectionists like Navarro.

— don lee, latimes.com, "Trump names Larry Kudlow top White House economic advisor," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'protectionist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.