Late 19th century

Return to protectionism in Germany and France

In Germany from 1879. In France in 1892 with the introduction of the « Méline tariff » (law aimed at protecting French agriculture from international competition). This return to protectionism is the consequence of the slowdown in world growth following the Great Depression, the fall in world prices (by 40% between 1874 and 1899) and heightened competition from new countries in the food sector (in particular US wheat).