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 Too much protectionism is not good as well as no protectionism, it will ruin the free trade in the world. 

This article looks at the European Commission, an organization that has warned of a slide towards "blatant and uncontrolled protectionism" across the globe as emerging markets from several countries are starting to defend themselves, warning that abuses by countries like Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, China and other key states could pose a growing threat to global recovery. The EU trading body has said "154 new tariffs and restrictive measures have been pushed through over the past year while "virtually none" has been abolished"

This article talks about Ukraine and its joining the EU Free-trade pact or the Ex-Soviet Pact monitored by Russia. When the idea was proposed, Ukraine was considering but two days before the EU Summit in Vilnius, Ukraine declined the offer - ultimately joining the Ex-Soviet Trade Pact. Now, Ukraine has came back to the idea of the EU Free-trade pact, and is again considering while people are protesting on the streets. The view of the people is split. In addition, Ukraine is close to bankruptcy which makes the choosing of the pacts even more important. Russia has money and can help Ukraine, while the EU doesn't have that ability. We shall see the outcome soon.

The European Union and America are to open negotiations with the aim of creating the world's biggest free trade area worth €86bn (£75bn) within two years.

The article talks about the trade deficit in Europe. Prime minister Cameron wants to increase GDP by 0.5%. This would make a major difference to Europe's economy and could become a "game-changer". Cameron wants to accomplish this goal by breaking down trade barriers.

The European Union and America are to open negotiations with the aim of creating the world's biggest free trade area worth €86bn (£75bn) within two years. Breaking down the remaining trade barriers and securing a comprehensive deal will require hard work and bold decisions on both sides. EU and US economies account for nearly half of the world's economic output and a third of global trade, meaning that a transatlantic free-trade bloc would hold great sway over emerging economic superpowers China, Brazil and India.

according to the article, increasing excise taxes, encouraging smoke-free public places,and reducing salt and trans fat in food might help decrease deaths from noninfectious diseases. It would make sense because, if excise taxes are imposed, demand will slightly fall. Also if smoke-free places are encouraged, non-smokers will not have to be exposed to smoke all the time.

This article talks about the new warning Russia has sent to Ukraine saying that moscow could implement protectionist barriers if its former soviet ally joins a free trade pact with the EU. Russia has sent the warning because they are allegedly worried it will be "flooded" with European goods if Ukraine joins the pact.

It states that "it will be a plus, as long as it doesn't make us (Russia) weaker". This is because of the bond they have from the former Soviet union. Since they have conjoined boarders and a lot of trade between the nations they fear that this (increasing european trade) might influence this trade.

The article was initiated by a series of event regarding a man, Mark Shuttleworth that transferred money to the South African Reserve Bank. Through powers granted under exchange controls legislation, the South African Reserve Bank imposed a levy of 10% to the money deposed. A big scandal started around the court cases which brought up several good points for the economy of South Africa. It was stated that controlling currency flows gives smaller economies more stability as well as independence. The free flow of capital would also cause account deterioration, inflation and currency devaluation. It was also mentioned that large institutions in South Africa (like its reserve bank) are not interested in red tape or levies, but some how imposed on on Shuttleworth. In addition, they stated that free trade comes as a cost that comes in a form of lost tax revenues and a loss of jobs in South Africa.

the article is showing that the cheapest car in the market is sold for $8000 and nissan is now introducing a $3000 model. This is dangerous for the other car because it might take away many consumers. this article shows how the price of the car is lowered.

As the article states: "The world's largest economies took a step toward common global guidelines for exchange-rate policies with a pledge Saturday to refrain from targeting their currency policies to gain a competitive trading advantage." This is well-involved in this week's topic, which is aggregate demand. Particularly, this article refers to its component, net exports (export revenue minus import expenditure, or simply X-M) and then its subsidiary component, changes in exchange rates. If a country's exchange rate becomes stronger, then this makes the country's exports more expensive to foreigners and vice versa. Manipulating with exchange rates can bring a certain country substantial trading advantage and this is what G-20 wants to overcome and allow free-trade market as it should be.

This article is about the reluctance to increase quotas for low-price sugar imports, due to the increased domestic production. Therefore from our IB Economic Theory, arguments against trade protection are used, specifically because it breeds inefficiency and leads to higher prices for consumers.Favorable weather in major sugar cane- and sugarbeet-growing areas are expected to lift production this season, as well as those in Mexico, which will be of benefit to the US since they are in the North American Free Trade Agreement and the US can import as much as it wants without any trade barriers to satisfy the domestic demand, although it is said that supplies presently outpace demand.

Venezuela has joined Mercosur, six years after first applying to join the South American trading bloc. This article showcases features of economic integration, in this case customs union, which is a free trade area where members establish a common tariff and agree to other trade policies with non-member countries. Well, this article is particularly valuable also because it gives you that well-known sense of economic reality as a genuinely different economic world than that described in the economic theory. Countries cluster together for a mutual advantage, however, as opposed to comparative advantage concept and other highly cherished theoretical reasons, it always comes down to natural resources as vital sources of geopolitical influence, for instance oil, which is abundant in Venezuela. This can reasonably be inferred from the following quote: "Brazil said Mercosur was "also positioning itself as a global energy power in renewable and non-renewable resources". In the end, the disadvantages of economic integration are given, highlighting the fact that in economics there are perpetual advantages as well as disadvantages (influx of cheap agricultural products, little influence in decision-making processes). But then again, the disadvantages have to be explained within advantages in order to grasp the holistic situation (e.g. influx of cheap agricultural products forces Venezuelan farmers to cut down on their costs and improve on efficiency).

This article discusses how sometimes the use of barriers has a negative effect on the economy of a country, for example, as can be seen with Bush's administration that imposed tariffs on steel imports. Trade protection can be seen with the rush of agreements that countries are not willing to partake in, such as Japan. Of course after the Bush administration, the democratic party picked up the "protectionist baton" and have worked toward trade liberalization.

The article talks about tariffs imposed by the US government on the steel market. It shows the other side of protectionism. In the case of the US the tariff impose had a negative effect on the steel market. The tariff robbed more in profits than it gave to steel making companies.

The article refers to criticism on Chinese trade policies made by the US and China facing several cases in the WTO.

This article cites how the Chinese politicians are drawing back on protectionism, one of the intervjued people also added; "Free trade is the engine of national economic growth,", which can be debated in either direction.