（In the past few days differences between the United States and the European Community on farm trade have narrowed almost to nothing. As a result the world is now close to concluding the Uruguay round of GATT talks. That deal is admittedly far from perfect, a series of messy compromises. The cause of free trade will have many more battles to fight. Never mind. On a conservative estimate the Uruguay round would permanently raise global welfare by more than $ 100 billion a year, spur economic growth everywhere (especially in the world’s poorest countries) and extend competition to hitherto sheltered, and therefore backward, parts of all economies. By any standards, it would be a hugely valuable achievement.）What does “sheltered” mean here?
“sheltered” here means “protected”(economically).