Protectionism refers to policies, rules and regulations that help a nation place barriers in the form of tariffs while trading with any other country. It is sometimes also a ploy by a country to safeguard the interests of its domestic producers as cheap imported commodities tend to shut down factories making that commodity inside the country.
     One of the easiest ways to reduce imports of commodities is to raise the price of imports by putting in place tariffs. This helps domestic producers as they remain competitive in the      domestic markets. Other ways of protectionism are to place quota restrictions on commodities so that the quantity entering the country is miniscule which does not affect local producers.

The concept of Free trade on the other hand refers to a situation where there are no barriers in trade between two countries. This not only helps both the nations, it also paves the way for cooperation and trade in more areas and removing mistrust and ill will that is always there in an atmosphere riddled with sanctions, tariffs and embargos. Free trade does not take place overnightand this is why nations are entering into economic pacts and agreements to slowly and gradually remove all such artificial tariffs. Free trade encourages transparency and healthy competition. Nations have come to realize that otherscan be superior to them in production of certain goods and services while they can be superior in other areas.