This resolution marks the 95th anniversary of the Tariff Act of 1930 — better known as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act — and frames its passage as a cautionary historical example. The text recounts how the tariffs triggered retaliation from major trading partners, helped collapse U.S. farm and manufacturing exports by 68 percent between 1929 and 1933, and contributed to the Great Depression and a peak unemployment rate around 23 percent. The Senate then affirms the importance of rules-based trade policy that lowers costs for U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and consumers, and commits to avoiding a repeat of "historic policy mistakes." The resolution is non-binding and does not change current trade law.
Congressional Summary
This resolution observes the 95th anniversary of the enactment of the Tariff Act of 1930 (also known as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act) and expresses the view that this act was a significant contributor to the Great Depression. (The act raised U.S. tariffs to their highest levels since 1828 and was the last tariff act in which Congress set rates.)
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-06-17
- Date Added
- 2026-05-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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