Another View: Small signs of protectionism are turning up everywhere

One of the many dangers of the global economic downturn is that it could cause countries to turn inward, with even the best of free-trade sentiments replaced by protectionist tendencies. Some taxpayers -- understandably, perhaps, but mistakenly -- believe that only money spent within their country's borders helps to expand their domestic economies. Thus, political pressure to circumvent or walk away from international trade standards mounts.