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95th Anniversary of Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act: A Trade History Lesson

The U.S. Senate commemorates the 95th anniversary of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which significantly raised tariffs on imported goods. Intended to protect American industries, this act led to retaliatory tariffs, a sharp decline in exports, and deepened the Great Depression, negatively impacting jobs and personal finances. The resolution now emphasizes the importance of open trade for economic growth and lower prices.
Key points
The 1930 Act raised tariffs to protect domestic industries, but it triggered retaliatory measures from other countries.
Increased tariffs contributed to a 68% drop in U.S. exports and worsened the Great Depression, leading to higher unemployment.
The Senate now highlights the benefits of open trade, such as lower consumer prices and increased exports.
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_SRES_281
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Process start date: 2025-06-17