In different historical stages of the development of international trade, there have been representative trade protectionism theories and policies. Since 1995 with the operation of WTO, rational trade protectionism has become popular.
Following the logic of rational economy man maximizing their own interests, rational trade protectionism is to seek maximized profit or minimized loss of trade. Today, over trade protection is not permitted by the WTO rules, and it will be resisted by retaliation from trading partners. Therefore, when countries developing trade protection policies, they appeared very "rational", if not maximizing national interests, but at least minimizing the loss due to protection.
Original link: http://epaper.gmw.cn/gmrb/html/2015-04/29/nw.D110000gmrb_20150429_3-15.htm
