Preliminary Thesis
As of now, I think countries should go for free trade rather than protectionism. Free trade allows for increased efficiency within a country as inefficient businesses will either have to innovate their technology and products or bankrupt. Protectionism kills incentive for those firms receiving subsidies, for example, as they do not have to be as competitive to stay in the market. Also, protectionism costs money for the government especially, and consumers too will also have to pay higher prices for the goods and services.
Good post!
How would the rice farmers feel about this?