States around the world adopt various statist measures in disguise.  The concern is whatever the interests may be at that time.  It’s certainly not freedom.  Nationalism is impossible under freedom.  The masses don’t receive a cut in money wages, but the price of goods they buy does rise.  Nationalism is equivalent to a pay cut.  A country must impose trade barriers for nationalism.  Freedom and nationalism are incompatible. 

They will claim producers within the nation must be protected from “dumping.”  This is absurd as the candlemakers petitioning for the sun to be blocked out because it’s dumping free light.  The logic is the same.  The term “dumping” is a demagogic tool.  They are advocating for higher domestic prices anytime an industry makes this claim.  Regardless of the industry, it’s no different from the candlemakers.

All nationalist measures are statist measures in disguise.  Foreigners who can produce a product more cheaply are either barred or punished.  This is equivalent to punishing the masses within that country.  They’ll migrate to a location if the foreigners can’t sell their products in the most valuable market.  Removing trade barriers can solve a lot of problems.  So, the nation was supposed to be helped, but they were indirectly harmed.

Interference with production can’t help the masses. Making the case for trade barriers can help the demagogues get elected.  The nationalist will have to eventually admit these measures didn’t work.  However, they may not admit it, either way, they’ll be out of office.  Demagoguery will only conceal the true state of affairs for a limited amount of time.  Don’t be fooled by the next demagogue who comes around and makes similar claims.

Trade barriers lead to the equivalent of a pay cut, and more illegal immigration.  This certainly creates more distortions as you move away from the “solution.”  It’s not likely the masses support a pay cut, or people moving to a location they weren’t invited.  Nationalism is just statism with the use of different words.  Many will claim they aren’t statist, but philosophically they are.  However, their version of statism is disguised in a term.

Reference

Ludwig von Mises; Omnipotent Government