Protectionism by Governments, the Retrenchment of Globalization and National Security

This paper examines the ongoing debate toward protectionist policies and declining globalization in the post-COVID era. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis provided by WTO, World Bank, and OECD, with a review of relevant literature. The findings suggest that while protectionism has some short-term benefits for specific industries, globalization remains the key driver of economic growth and development in the long run. Research findings further suggest that in the coming decade, the political reality of a nation-state is economic self-interest. This is particularly in the case of the United States, and Europe economic relations with China, where practices of economic protectionism, subsidizing of local industries, and containing China’s economic growth and industrial expansion.