Russia leading the way in protectionist policies

Russia put more protectionist policies in place than any other country in 2013, closely followed by neighbouring Belarus, according to data from Global Trade Alert, a leading independent trade monitoring service.

Russia alone accounted for 20% of the protectionist policies identified worldwide by GTA, with steps ranging from cuts in foreign worker quotas to state support for the rare earth metals industry, agriculture and aircraft makers.

With 78 such trade restrictions, Russia also accounted for almost a third of the protectionism imposed by G20 nations.