[BroJoeK]

US exports during the 1930s were strictly a function of international demand for US products.
Those in turn were influenced by US tariffs imposed on foreign imports.

But, returning to our topic, the question is why in 1992 did most Republicans support NAFTA?
The answer, in brief, is because they accepted the common understanding that Smoot Hawley was bad for the Depression.
No, not that it STARTED Depression, but that once started, Smoot Hawley made it deeper & longer.
They were also highly worried about inflation and saw NAFTA as a way to control that.

Today fewer Republicans buy it, and even some Democrats have found Trump’s “fair trade” message very appealing.
Most believe Trump will negotiate better deals tban we have today.

[central_va]

The answer, in brief, is because they accepted the common understanding that Smoot Hawley was bad for the Depression.

I watched Rush Limbaugh rail on at Perot. I never heard the term Smoot Hawley once.