Tariffs helped the US develop industrially. Tariffs don’t work so well when you are an exporting nation like the US was in the early 20th century.
While it is true that “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”, it is equally true that those who don’t realize that times have changed will make entirely new mistakes.
“The general who fights the last war, loses the current war”
It is now the 21st century, and the US is an IMPORTING nation.
Oil/Energy imports account for the lions share of the difference in importing/exporting.
Manufacturing would make up for most of the remaining difference. In 1930 the world was far less competetive than it is today. The reason we can’t compete globally has far more to deal with government regulation, supporting our standard of living (labor costs) and taxation.
Imposing blanket tariffs will only serve to raise OUR costs of living and limit our choices and spur global retribution.
They didn’t work in 1930 and they won’t work in 2016 because the they are for all intents and purposes subsidies born on the back of consumers. They undermine capitalism by hindering innovation, productivity and creativity.
One last thing, tariffs invariably lead to corruption.