Question

From a political perspective, why do some people argue against free trade?

Please illustrate your answer with relevant examples

This needs to be around 800 words but not expecting this , was just hoping for some ideas which i could expand on

Answer 1

I will give some pointers on this.

1. infant industry argument- the domestic industries are weak, if a tariff is imposed on imports, the domestic industries will get time to expand and compete with foreign competition.

For example- like US imposed import quotas on Toyota when it entered US market because it was hitting the US car manufacturers hard.

Like India opened its gates to imports about 45 years after it got independence because it wanted that its domestic industries should stand on their feet first.

2. Danger of overdependence

For example- the corona virus, when it was only in China, it still lead to shut down of many industries around the world due to non-availability of supplies.

3. Free trade may lead to infiltration of harmful products into the country.

For example- Drugs have moved around the world under the pretext of free trade, because drug cartels often hide the drugs with the legal products that can be exported

some more points like elongated inefficienies in the domestic industries, destruction of home products etc. can be derived from the above stated points

These points can be expanded to make a 800words paragraph

Thank You