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Erik Guzik, Assistant Clinical Professor of Management, University of Montana

Tariffs are back in the spotlight, but skepticism of free trade has deep roots in American history

Noted economic nationalist Alexander Hamilton. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

One of the more surprising developments in recent American politics has been the backlash against free trade.

As recently as a decade ago, Democrats and Republicans alike generally favored free trade. But with the 2024 presidential election just days away, both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris are leaning hard on protectionism. The Trump campaign in particular is promoting tariffs that would be difficult to imagine coming from a Republican presidential candidate just a decade ago.

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