Tariffs (thread 3), Episode 8: McKinley vs. Modern Tariff Politics: What He'd Say About Trump's Trade War

Imagine sitting down with William McKinley for a quiet chat about tariffs and trade. He’d get why you want to protect jobs, but he’d also roll his eyes at policy-by-tweet and remind you that tariffs are a tool, not a spectacle.

He started as a fierce protectionist to build industry, then shifted toward opening markets once America was strong enough — so he’d probably agree with the goal but not the messy modern method. Read this episode if you want a historical take that’s equal parts practical and politely judgmental.