More than a century ago, then-representative William McKinley pursued an aggressive tariff strategy that sought to protect American industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 raised import duties to an average of 50 percent, one of the highest levels in U.S. history.

The logic was simple: If foreign goods were more expensive, Americans would buy domestic products, fueling economic expansion.

But the results were not so simple. Instead of strengthening America’s trade position, the tariff triggered retaliation from other nations. Prices rose, particularly for middle- and lower-income Americans, and political backlash followed.

At the time, some lawmakers dreamed of annexing Canada, believing the economic pressure would push Canadians to seek statehood. Instead, the tariff had the opposite effect — Canadian nationalists rallied against what they saw as economic coercion. The country deepened its ties with the British Empir