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
The tariff con is particularly insidious because it's sold as economic nationalism while actually functioning as a tax increase on American consumers.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
In a global market marked by shifting alliances and economic nationalism, tourism leaders must develop strategies that are not only strategic but also resilient to policy shocks.
—Jeff Kim, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
His enraged nosedive into the nineteenth century—economic nationalism, territorial ambition—has sent global politics careering toward catastrophe.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Its approach is better described as central planning disguised as economic nationalism.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 19 May 2025
The administration also believed that its willingness to impose economic self-harm in the form of higher steel and aluminum prices for domestic manufacturers would send a strong signal to other countries about its commitment to economic nationalism.
—Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
The Regulatory and Geopolitical Hurdles A less obvious but critically impactful challenge for global card networks is the rising trend of economic nationalism, with regions like Europe aiming for payment independence.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
This is why economic nationalism is not going away.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
The mixed signals toward employers have fed cynicism among those who like Trump’s economic nationalism.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
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Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
In a global market marked by shifting alliances and economic nationalism, tourism leaders must develop strategies that are not only strategic but also resilient to policy shocks.
—Jeff Kim, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
His enraged nosedive into the nineteenth century—economic nationalism, territorial ambition—has sent global politics careering toward catastrophe.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Its approach is better described as central planning disguised as economic nationalism.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 19 May 2025
The administration also believed that its willingness to impose economic self-harm in the form of higher steel and aluminum prices for domestic manufacturers would send a strong signal to other countries about its commitment to economic nationalism.
—Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019
The Regulatory and Geopolitical Hurdles A less obvious but critically impactful challenge for global card networks is the rising trend of economic nationalism, with regions like Europe aiming for payment independence.
—Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
This is why economic nationalism is not going away.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
The mixed signals toward employers have fed cynicism among those who like Trump’s economic nationalism.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Economic nationalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economic%20nationalism. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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