Protectionist pressures are an increasing threat to free trade. The adoption of protectionist policies jeopardizes the prosperity of developed countries and sets back economic growth in developing countries.
The scariest danger signals are coming from the USA. Donald Trump, who now seems to have all but secured the Republican nomination, has based much of his appeal, especially to blue-collar whites, on his demands for protectionist trade policies. He accuses the United States of concluding "the worst trade deals ever made in the history of trade."
He has accused Chinese trade negotiators of "raping" America and demands protection for American workers against imports from China. He rejects the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and demands that American companies move production back to the U.S. or face tariffs. He contends that the U.S. trade deficit is evidence of "foul play." His comments on Japan, demanding that it pay in full for U.S. military bases, indicate that Tokyo is also one of the targets of his ire.