mercantilist

mercantilism mer‧can‧til‧is‧m [ˈmɜːkəntaɪlɪzm ǁ ˈmɜːrkəntiːlɪzm, -tl-] noun [uncountable] ECONOMICS

the idea that trade produces wealth, especially for countries that export goods. Under mercantilism, exports are encouraged but imports are restricted by the government:

• A rise of mercantilism in the producer-oriented West helped European trading companies.

— mercantilist adjective :

• The country still has some traces of the mercantilist mentality.

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mercantilism UK US /ˈmɜːkəntɪˌlɪz^əm/ noun [U]

► COMMERCE, ECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT the idea that a country's government should try to influence trade and business, especially by encouraging exports and putting limits on imports: »

With the philosophy of mercantilism, trade concessions are only made in response to those made by another government.

mercantilist adjective

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mercantilist trade policies