Reading Comprehension

Passage: Global trade has been a driving force of economic development for centuries, connecting distant markets and enabling specialisation according to comparative advantage. The theory of comparative advantage, developed by economist David Ricardo, demonstrates that countries benefit from trade even when one nation is more efficient at producing all goods. Modern supply chains span multiple continents, with components manufactured in different countries before final assembly elsewhere. However, recent years have witnessed a backlash against globalisation in many regions. Critics argue that trade agreements have exacerbated inequality by benefiting capital owners over workers, leading to job losses in certain industries. Trade wars and protectionist policies have emerged as governments respond to these concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting discussions about the merits of local production and self-sufficiency. Balancing the benefits of global trade with concerns about equity and resilience remains a central challenge for policymakers. Question: The word 'backlash' in the passage most nearly means: