Trade Wars and Immigration Restrictions: Insights From the Interwar Era

ABSTRACT Background The interwar period saw a reversal of the first wave of globalization, with rising trade and migration barriers. Understanding this shift helps contextualize today's backlash against global integration. Methods We document trade and migration trends, analyse policies that dismantled globalization, and review literature on their effects on workers, industries, and economies. Historical and comparative analysis links past protectionist cycles with current trends. Results Protectionist policies during the interwar period disrupted trade and migration, leaving lasting economic and labour market impacts. Historical patterns parallel contemporary moves toward reduced openness. Conclusion This study highlights the risks of protectionist cycles and provides historical context for current challenges to global integration, informing policy responses to sustain international economic cooperation.