What are the limitations to the diversification for stability argument for trade protection?

What will be an ideal response?

There may be a legitimate reason for a nation to protect certain industries until they become viable. The best case would be in nations that have one basic resource or export and are seeking to diversify their economies. For example, the Saudi Arabian economy is based on oil, but it may seek to limit imports if it is to develop other industries so that it is not dependent on the price of one commodity. The argument may also be valid for other less developed nations with only one or two major industries.
Nevertheless, there are problems with this line of reasoning. First, it does not apply to the economy of the United States or other industrially advanced nations with diversified economies. Second, the economic costs of diversification may be great even for nations dependent on basically one industry. These nations may not have a comparative advantage in other industries and will never become economically efficient in these industries.