in the mid nineteenth century, which country championed the concept of free trade

Answer 1

The United Kingdom is often credited with championing the concept of free trade in the mid-nineteenth century. This was mainly due to the efforts of British politicians and economists, such as Richard Cobden and John Bright, who advocated for the removal of trade barriers and promoted the idea of free trade as a means to economic growth and international peace. The UK's commitment to free trade was also reflected in its repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, which abolished tariffs on imported grain.