Final answer:
The option that will hinder foreign competition is the increased use of tariffs and embargoes by countries, as these protectionist policies reduce or block imports to protect domestic industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the text, the option that will hinder foreign competition is 'b increased use of tariffs and embargoes by countries'. This form of protectionism involves government policies designed to reduce or block imports to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. The other options, such as 'globally integrated production processes', 'reductions or eliminations of trade barriers by country governments', and 'the standardization of laws across borders' typically support trade liberalization and do not serve as hurdles to foreign competition. Instead, protectionism is reinforced by actions like the imposition of tariffs, import quotas, and nontariff barriers, which increase the costs or limit the volume of imported goods, thereby making domestic products more competitive against foreign imports.