Protectionism is an economic policy aimed at shielding a country's domestic industries from foreign competition. This is often achieved through measures such as tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods, and quotas, which limit the amount of certain products that can be imported. By making foreign goods more expensive or less available, protectionism encourages consumers to buy locally produced items. Supporters of protectionism argue that it helps protect jobs and promotes local businesses. However, critics claim it can lead to higher prices for consumers and may provoke retaliatory measures from other countries, potentially harming international trade relations.