economic nationalism
noun
plural economic nationalisms
: a protectionist ideology or policy that aims to foster and shape a national economy by promoting domestic industries and by shielding domestic producers from foreign competition
Economic nationalism frames the economy primarily in terms of the nation, much like political nationalism does with the polity. The economy exists primarily to serve the nation … .—
Dani Rodrik
Dani RodrikOn one level, economic nationalism is associated with protectionism. Policies like tariffs, subsidies and import-quotas seek to protect companies and industries in a given nation from foreign competition. In other instances, economic nationalists have argued that emerging domestic industries require protection from foreign competition until they have become sufficiently stable.—Samuel Gregg
Samuel GreggThe Great Depression of the 1930s had exacerbated economic nationalism and spurred protectionism. Given the problems of post-war reconstruction, many nations in Western Europe were not yet prepared to accept freer trade and expose themselves to American competition.—T. E. Vedney
T. E. Vedney
economic nationalist
noun
plural economic nationalists
Examples of economic nationalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Foreign governments and central banks, wary of U.S. economic nationalism, appeared to reassess their reliance on U.S. Treasuries.
—Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
If Trump wins reelection and continues down the path of economic nationalism, however, the prospect of continued, and perhaps intensified, trade conflict is likely to destroy the world trading system.
—Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
The measures have been received with quiet alarm in Northeast Asia, where officials had hoped that alliance contributions would shield them from the economic nationalism that defined Trump’s first term.
—Lynn Kuok, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
The debate over trade, industry and economic nationalism is far from over.
—Tim Overton, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
The President touts his moves as necessary steps to protect U.S. industries from foreign competition, reviving the rhetoric of economic nationalism that defined his first term.
— Made By History, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
The Liberal Patriot: How partisanship killed effective economic nationalism.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
The campaign emphasizes Ford's position as the number one U.S. automaker by production and factory jobs, tapping into the current economic nationalism.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
If Trump wins reelection and continues down the path of economic nationalism, however, the prospect of continued, and perhaps intensified, trade conflict is likely to destroy the world trading system.
—Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
The measures have been received with quiet alarm in Northeast Asia, where officials had hoped that alliance contributions would shield them from the economic nationalism that defined Trump’s first term.
—Lynn Kuok, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
The debate over trade, industry and economic nationalism is far from over.
—Tim Overton, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2025
The President touts his moves as necessary steps to protect U.S. industries from foreign competition, reviving the rhetoric of economic nationalism that defined his first term.
— Made By History, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
The Liberal Patriot: How partisanship killed effective economic nationalism.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
The campaign emphasizes Ford's position as the number one U.S. automaker by production and factory jobs, tapping into the current economic nationalism.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Economic nationalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economic%20nationalism. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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