Why William McKinley's tariff policy, lauded by Trump, isn't what it seems : The Indicator from Planet Money : NPR

Jun 25, 2025

By

Wailin Wong

,

Darian Woods

,

Julia Ritchey

,

Kate Concannon

President Trump speaks fondly of William McKinley, the 25th U.S. president who was a strong advocate for tariffs. He's credited with helping to protect the fledgling tinplate industry in the late 19th century. But did the tariff work? We take a closer look at McKinley's tinplate tariff and if it was worth the cost.

Related episodes on tariffs: Trump threatens the grim trigger (Apple / Spotify) Canada's key resource against Trump's possible trade war (Apple / Spotify) Why Trump's potential tariffs are making business owners anxious (Apple / Spotify) Trump's contradictory trade policies (Apple / Spotify) How Trump's tariff plan might work (Apple / Spotify) Worst. Tariffs. Ever. (Apple / Spotify)

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