713 B
713 B
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