Final answer:
Yes, Trading blocs offer protection from global competitiveness through tariffs and quotas but may lead to higher consumer prices and retaliation, showing the complexity of international trade and protectionism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Trading blocs can offer protection from global competitiveness by creating a safe domestic environment that reduces the negative impacts of international trade. By establishing tariffs, quotas, and other trade barriers, trading blocs like NAFTA or the EU can shield member economies from external competitive pressures, allowing domestic industries to grow and solidify their market position. However, this protection may also lead to higher prices for consumers and retaliatory measures from excluded countries, as in the trade war between the U.S. and China. In balance, while trading blocs offer protection, they also introduce trade-offs that need to be carefully evaluated in the context of broader economic goals and international agreements.