How do McKinley's ideas on protectionism relate to modern trade debates?
The principles I advocated concerning protective tariffs remain relevant to contemporary discussions on trade. My core belief was that 'protection is the bulwark of American prosperity.' This meant ensuring that our domestic industries and the American worker were not disadvantaged by unfair international competition. A healthy, robust manufacturing sector, shielded by appropriate tariffs, creates jobs and strengthens the national economy from within. While the global landscape has changed, the fundamental question of how best to support national economic interests and the well-being of one's own citizens in the face of international commerce is a perennial one.
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