New industries sometimes argue for temporary trade restrictions to help them get started. After a period of protection , the argument goes these industries will mature and be able to compete with foreign firms. Similarly older industries sometimes argue that they need temporary protection to help them adjust to new conditions. For example in 2002, president Bush imposed temporary tariffs on imported steel. He said, I decided that imports were severely affecting our industry an important industry. The tariff which ended up lasting 20 month, would offer temporary relief so that the industry could restructure itself. Economics are often skeptical about such claims. The primary reason is that the infant-industry argument is difficult to implement in practice. To apply protection successfully the government would need to decide which industries will eventually be profitable and decide whether the benefits of establishing will eventually be profitable and decide wheth...