protective tariff

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablebusiness

   A tax placed on imported goods so they cost more than home-made ones, helping local producers compete.

   Grammar: A count noun, often with on: a protective tariff on steel.

   Patterns

   • a protective tariff on something

   The government introduced a protective tariff on imported steel.

   Farmers welcomed the protective tariff because it raised the price of foreign grain.

   Critics say a protective tariff makes everyday goods more expensive.

Word forms

Common combinations

impose a protective tariff

The country imposed a protective tariff on cars.

high protective tariff

A high protective tariff shielded the young industry.

protective tariff on imports

A protective tariff on imports raised prices at the shops.

remove protective tariffs

Trade talks aimed to remove protective tariffs.

protective tariff policy

The party defended its protective tariff policy.

Synonyms and how they differ

import duty

Import duty is a general tax on imports for any reason, while a protective tariff is specifically meant to shield local producers.

trade barrier

Trade barrier includes quotas and rules as well as taxes, whereas protective tariff names one kind, a tax.

customs duty

Customs duty is the neutral legal term, and it may be meant to raise revenue rather than protect industry.

Opposites

Word family

protectionism noun

the policy of shielding home industries from foreign competition

protectionist adjective

favoring taxes or limits on imports

tariff noun

a tax on imported or exported goods

protect verb

to keep safe from harm

Commonly confused: protective tariff or revenue tariff?

Practice

Make it your own

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