[Toddsterpatriot]

My position is that Ronald Reagan selectively used tariffs as a means of managing foreign trade by protecting those sectors of the economy where he had determined such protections best served our nation's economic interests.

What is your position on average tariffs when Reagan entered office and when he left office? After 2 terms, were they higher or lower?

[Mojave]

What is your position on average tariffs when Reagan entered office and when he left office?

I don't know what the figures were for 1988. Here's some numbers for 1986.

“Of the $387 billion in goods the U.S. imported in 1986, more than 20% was protected by special tariffs, quotas, or other types of restraints, according to Gary C. Hufbauer, a Georgetown University professor. When Reagan took office, the figure was 12%.”

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1987/03/02/68728/index.htm

Surprised?