--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we do not counter the argument that…" description: "\"If we do not counter the argument that most radical nationlists use, which is, 'To protect is to be protectionist,' if we don't counter that argument, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/frans-timmermans-9984_argument_if-we-do-not-counter-the-argument-that-m_2897981.jpg" --- # If we do not counter the argument that most radical… ![“If we do not counter the argument that most radical nationlists use, which is, 'To protect is to be protectionist,' if we don't counter that argument, all of our economies will suffer.” quote by Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/frans-timmermans-9984_argument_if-we-do-not-counter-the-argument-that-m_2897981.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/frans-timmermans-9984_argument_if-we-do-not-counter-the-argument-that-m_2897981.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/frans-timmermans-9984_argument_if-we-do-not-counter-the-argument-that-m_2897981.jpg) > “If we do not counter the argument that most radical nationlists use, which is, 'To protect is to be protectionist,' if we don't counter that argument, all of our economies will suffer.” [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If we don’t refute the protectionist claim “to protect is to be protectionist,” economies will suffer; the argument must be challenged to avoid widespread harm. **In simple terms:** Counter protectionist rhetoric to protect economies. Key Takeaway Debate protectionist narratives. Themes economics politics trade Mood analytical urgent policy Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - EU policy - international relations - economic stability Key Concepts globalization policy analysis Questions to Reflect On - How can we present alternatives? - What evidence convinces skeptics? A Different Perspective Protectionism may have short‑term political appeal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [Radical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radical/) ## Related quotes > [Once the decision has been made, close your ear even to the best counter argument: sign of a strong character. 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They talk more about free trade than they actually practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilbur-ross/china-is-the-most-protectionist-country-of-the-very-large-countries/) [Wilbur Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilbur-ross/) > [Protectionist politicians cannot stand the notion of a fossil-fuel-rich America maintaining record levels of production through exports.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pompeo/protectionist-politicians-cannot-stand-the-notion-of-a-fossil-fuel/) [Mike Pompeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pompeo/) > [Britain should not be held back by the E.U.'s protectionist stance which keeps so many developing countries from growing their economies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-mordaunt/britain-should-not-be-held-back-by-the-e-u-s-protectionist-stance/) [Penny Mordaunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-mordaunt/) > [We can do a much better job free of protectionist Europeans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priti-patel/we-can-do-a-much-better-job-free-of-protectionist-europeans/) [Priti Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priti-patel/) ## More by Frans Timmermans > [The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaign-is-the-one-that-said-take/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [If nationalism makes us poor, weak, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/if-nationalism-makes-us-poor-weak-and-morally-insecure-how-can-it/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-netherlands-believes-in-a-vigorous-europe-with-a-commission-that/) [Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/) > [Protectionism has never been an answer, will never be an answer. We need trade. 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