In nineteenth-century Britain, as in many developing economies, free trade became a
major political issue, centring on the question of whether the import of cheap grain
should be permitted. Manufacturers in the towns were in favour because they wanted
cheap food for their workers, but the domestic landowners, who stood to lose their protected
market, were opposed. The issue split the country. Eventually free trade prevailed
and in 1847 the Corn Laws, which prohibited imports, were repealed, helping Britain to
develop as an industrial economy. Today the principles of free trade are broadly
accepted through the World Trade Organization (WTO), but protectionism remains a
live issue. In the West there are still concerns that developing economies in Asia will
put the older industrial countries out of business, as demonstrated by the difficulties
faced by the GATT negotiations over ten years. Apart from any personal considerations
for the inhabitants of the developed countries, this would be very bad for shipping. Even
where trade is relatively open, many countries protect inefficient industries whose
output in a free market would be replaced by trade.