Is Protectionism ever appropriate?

[Boston Bread]

2&3 (Infant industries and worker's rights)
Otherwise free trade is ok.

[Boston Bread]

So free trade are okay with no other countries?

What do you mean? In general I support free trade but I support protectionism against countries with bad human rights, labor, and environmental records and to protect infant industries from competition, if you were wondering what I meant.

[Boston Bread]

I don't see pressure on developing countries to improve their labour and environmental record through free trade at all. But tariffs high enough to the point where I'd be cheaper for countries to adopt those standards might. Decent labour and environment standards needn't result in high unemployment - hiring people for higher wages will result in more disposable income which boosts demand, and shorter hours would allow more people to be hired in place of people who work overtime constantly. Products which are cheap because they were created without regard for labour or the environment shouldn't deserve to compete with products which are, because it gives them an unfair advantage in the market. Plus, I wouldn't mind slightly more revenue, especially at the expense of business practices which shouldn't really exist in the first place.

One point I wanted to make is that if I had an identical product at an identical price, one from overseas and one produced locally was available, I'd always chose the local option since all things being equal, lower transport distances is better for the environment.

I don't blame free trade for "taking our jerbs". But that's how I justify my positions on free trade.