# Alien Merchant Duties ## Definition The special tariffs and restrictions imposed on foreign merchants operating within a country's borders, designed to protect domestic merchants from foreign competition by making it more expensive or difficult for alien merchants to conduct business. ## Source Chapter Book IV, Chapter 3 ## Context Smith cites these duties as examples of how mercantile interests secure protection through government policy, arguing that such restrictions harm consumers while benefiting a small group of domestic merchants. ## Economic Domain Regulation ---