The opposite of trade protectionism is a. free trade. Trade protectionism refers to the use of government regulations and policies to limit imports and protect domestic industries from foreign competition. Free trade, on the other hand, is a policy of allowing goods and services to flow freely across international borders without government restrictions or tariffs. The other options, trade deficit and surplus trade, refer to the balance of trade between countries, which is separate from the issue of trade protectionism. Therefore, the correct answer is a. free trade.