> There's a major political party which has been saying "free market", "less spending and regulations", and only turned protectionist as of the last election (Republicans
I've noticed republicans and (so-called) libertarians being protectionist long before last election, so I think that's a bit of a non-point.
All parties are hypocritical in practise, so I'll take your point. For the Trump election, they really sold the protectionism in a way they hadn't before, though. Full-on "Down with NAFTA!" etc.
I've noticed republicans and (so-called) libertarians being protectionist long before last election, so I think that's a bit of a non-point.