What does protectionism aim to achieve?

Protectionism primarily aims to restrict foreign imports to shield domestic industries from international competition. This strategy helps protect local businesses and jobs by imposing tariffs, quotas, or other barriers against foreign goods. By making imported products less competitive in terms of price or availability, protectionist policies allow domestic companies to thrive, potentially leading to the growth of the economy within a country.

Encouraging domestic production is often a pivotal goal of protectionism, as it seeks to help local manufacturers compete more effectively against foreign competitors. By limiting foreign imports, countries can protect emerging industries and preserve jobs that might be lost if they were exposed to unregulated foreign competition. This can lead to the stabilization of certain sectors and contribute to national security by fostering self-sufficiency in essential goods.

The other options, while related to aspects of trade and economics, do not align with the core objectives of protectionism. For instance, increasing foreign investments and promoting free trade would typically run counter to protecting domestic industries, while encouraging outsourcing often involves relocating jobs overseas, which is opposite to the protective intentions of protectionism.