Protectionism Shields Domestic Industries from Foreign Competition

Steps:

• Recall that protectionism involves government policies restricting imports to support local economies.
• Examine each option to match the core definition of protecting domestic producers.
• Eliminate choices focused on consumers, workers, or currency, as they describe unrelated protections.
• Confirm the option aligning with trade barriers like tariffs or quotas.

Why C is correct:

• Protectionism is defined in economics as policies (e.g., tariffs, quotas) that shield local producers from cheaper foreign competitors, preserving domestic jobs and industries.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Consumer protection addresses price gouging via antitrust laws, not trade policies.
• B: Labor protections involve regulations like minimum wage, unrelated to import restrictions.
• D: Exchange rate defense uses monetary tools like interventions, not protectionist trade measures.

Final answer: C