Final answer:
Retailers and importers generally favor trade liberalism and fewer trade barriers, seeking to lower costs and broaden product availability. In contrast, many domestic manufacturers advocate for protectionist measures to reduce foreign competition. Trade liberalization and trade protectionism are opposing approaches and do not work in harmony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that retailers and importers tend to favor trade liberalism and fewer trade barriers is true. These groups generally support policies that lower the cost of goods and increase the variety of products available to consumers. On the other hand, domestic manufacturers and producers often favor protectionist policies like tariffs and quotas that help shield them from international competition. While trade liberalization and trade protectionism both have their proponents, they do not work in harmony, as they represent opposing approaches to trade policy.
Furthermore, the textile and apparel industry is frequently a hot topic during trade discussions, partly because of its global nature and the impact trade rules can have on employment patterns. This industry often exemplifies the challenges and tensions between trade liberalization and protectionism.
The World Trade Organization (WTO), succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), is an international organization that both advocates for reducing trade barriers and provides a platform for negotiating trade agreements, highlighting the ongoing tug-of-war between national protectionist measures and global trade liberalization efforts.