safeguard

1. General: Precautionary or counter measure available to an entity that enables it to protect itself or its interests in case of an attack, threat, or infringement of an agreement.

2. GATT/WTO: Provision that allows two types of multilateral protection to its signatories: (1) importer's right to impose temporary import restrictions to help protect its domestic industry, and (2) corresponding right of the exporter(s) that prevents imposition of arbitrary restrictions on access to a market.