mercantilist

American  

[mur-kuhn-til-ist, -teel-ist, -tahyl-ist] / ˈmɜr kən tɪl ɪst, -ˌtil ɪst, -ˌtaɪl ɪst /

adjective

1. supporting or reflecting the mercantile system; promoting economic protectionism or the aggressive pursuit of a favorable balance of trade.

2. embracing the attitudes and values of commercialism.

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noun

1. a person who favors the principles of the mercantile system.

2. a person who embraces the attitudes and values of commercialism.

Example Sentences

Despite all the costs entailed in the transition, industrial technology and the market system accomplished what no benevolent king’s redistribution, no loving bishop’s charity, no mercantilist’s protectionism and no powerful guild ever did.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, Japan and the U.K. are accommodating America’s mercantilist behavior.

From Barron's

Critics say China has gained an edge in key industries with mercantilist policies supporting domestic firms in the global marketplace.

From Washington Times

But as Beijing has become more confrontational and German industry more outspoken about its dependency on the Chinese market, Germany’s China policy is ripe for evolving from the mercantilist soft touch of the Merkel era, analysts say.

From New York Times

And they wanted to export their produce to other markets and not be subject to the mercantilist logic of the empire.

From Washington Post