> Creating a trebuchet doesn't give you the privilege to sling projectiles at the neighboring town, right?

The difference here is that you did not create the town. It is publically created and publicly owned. Your rights and privileges ends where someone else's begins

> A government creates laws to promote the wellbeing of the populace

Yes, but it does so by creating an environment where individuals can choose for themselves what wellbeing means to them

We're not talking about inflicting bodily harm, it's a different context where the "well being of the populace" isn't guaranteed nor is achieving it the motive here.

It might be legal for a government that is driven by populist and protectionist agenda to target the useful and unique inventions of foreign companies but it isn't fair and it infringes on the natural rights of these companies.