ОСНОВНІ НАПРЯМКИ ФОРМУВАННЯ ЗОВНІШНЬОТОРГОВЕЛЬНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ДЕРЖАВИ

Abstract

The article considers the key aspects of the concept of foreign trade policy as an economic category, in particular, the essence and role of the main theoretical approaches to the directions of formation of the state's foreign trade policy. Today, globalization processes are an integral element of social life in all countries of the world without exception and contribute to the growing interdependence of their national economies. As the scope of international exchange expands, the importance of foreign trade policy for the national economy increases. In order to improve the competitiveness of national goods and services in foreign and domestic markets, it is necessary to develop a proper foreign trade policy that allows to resolve sharp contradictions arising in the world community, maintaining global economic balance, reconciling various interests, especially during financial and economic crises. That is why the analysis of the main directions of foreign trade policy formation is relevant today. Despite the significant number of studies conducted by foreign researchers on this topic, the number of studies by domestic scientists remains small. The article analyses the main forms of protectionism (selective, sectoral, collective, hidden, offensive (aggressive), neo-protectionism, autarky), which was actively used at the stage of initial capital accumulation, as it contributed to the accelerated development of industry and concentration of capital. Although this led to temporary benefits in developing countries, total protectionism usually harmed the country's economy, industry, workers and consumers. The key advantages and disadvantages of different types of foreign trade policy are presented. It is stated that most countries currently pursue a flexible foreign trade policy that combines elements of both protectionism and free trade. According to analysts at the Swedish National Board of Trade, summarizing the last five years of observing protectionism, the picture that emerges is grim, even if we do not take into account most of the measures within the framework of the US-China trade war. Recent trends suggest that important historical lessons are increasingly being forgotten and that, in the future, priority should again be given to limiting discretionary and non-transparent trade policy measures.