President Trump speaks fondly of William McKinley, the 25th U.S. president who was a strong advocate for tariffs. He's credited with helping to protect the fledgling tinplate industry in the late 19th century. But did the tariff work? We take a closer look at McKinley's tinplate tariff and if it was worth the cost. Related episodes on tariffs: Trump threatens the grim trigger (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000688696631">Apple</a> / <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Sydu8cKghev1WEdIHvytw?si=7aefc0c6cc6d45e3">Spotify</a>) Canada's key resource against Trump's possible trade war (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000686912239">Apple</a> / <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Ir0oBXG1Fs7l7vJOSNS6x?si=dfa9f8875a9c4877">Spotify</a>) Why Trump's potential tariffs are making business owners anxious (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000685093050">Apple</a> / <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JYg8Kd4iupWg6iZeaHojA?si=e4374412543f4dca">Spotify</a>) Trump's contradictory trade policies (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000680745847">Apple</a> / <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0IRiQlyAMU8f3MZ3Jo3Mwx?si=297f1717cdb1446e">Spotify</a>) How Trump's tariff plan might work (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000678330974">Apple</a> / <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/37o71HoqeI7uxi9bB3inYm?si=a98380092d9c4656">Spotify</a>) Worst. Tariffs. Ever. (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?i=1000679949437">Apple</a> / <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4t1IjtnrdOBAkifFEq0kbW?si=QRwbhU_aT0GjUpDqlUjhOg">Spotify</a>) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/">plus.npr.org</a>. Fact-checking by <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez#:~:text=for%20Planet%20Money-,Sierra%20Juarez%20is%20a%20researcher%20and%20fact%20checker%20at%20the,and%20fact%20checking%20in%20Mexico.">Sierra Juarez</a>. Music by <a href="https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/">Drop Electric</a>. Find us: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money">Newsletter</a>. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The Indicator from Planet Money

Trump's tariff role model

A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.