Strategic industry
An industry that a government deems to be of special importance to the economy and hence deserving of special treatment, such as tax breaks, subsidies or protection from foreign competition (see industrial policy). Some sectors, such as defence, may seem obvious choices but the list is long (even, notoriously, extending to dairy products: see article). Self-sufficiency, national security, the promotion of research and development or the fostering of an infant industry may be the justification; protectionism may be the outcome (see article).
