Protectionist laws aren't always stupid. They're especially applicable when another company or country is subsidising their local industry to out compete others

Protectionist laws aren't always stupid. They're especially applicable when another company or country is subsidising their local industry to out compete others to gain advantage. Every country and company is trying to find some way to get ahead of everyone else. There are a myriad of approaches, tariffs/protectionism is just another tool.