Surge In Trade Protection Threatens to Deepen Global Crisis

Editor's Note: J492 students - please be able to explain why this would be bad for the economy. - MT

The Wall Street Journal - A wave of protectionism is swelling around the world that could further damage struggling economies.

Industries are starting to line up in Beijing, Brussels and Washington for import protection. That has happened in past downturns, too, but this time the restrictions may bite harder because of the global nature of the problems.

During the 1980s, Japan could afford not to retaliate against U.S. quotas on steel and automobiles because Tokyo's economy was humming. There are no clear economic winners now, making it much harder for any government to turn the other cheek.
[international trade]

The global turn to stimulus spending also may come wrapped in protection, as each country tries to ensure that its industries benefit. In the U.S., congressional Democrats and their allies in steel, textile and organized labor are pushing to include strong "Buy America" provisions in a U.S. stimulus program that would limit spending to firms in the U.S. Already European officials are crying foul.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123171020324471871.html