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The context of the 1980s tariffs is crucial. The U.S. imposed tariffs in response to Japan's dumping of steel on American markets during the early 1980s. President Reagan justified these protective measures as necessary to shield vital industries, with the ultimate goal of fostering a trade environment rooted in fairness, not protectionism. Reagan's emphasis on fair trade illustrated a strategic use of tariffs to combat unfair practices, aligning with subsequent policies by President Trump.
This approach underscores that tariffs are not inherently anti-free trade but are tools to re-balance relationships and open the door for eventual free and fair markets. Both Reagan and Trump have employed tariffs as leverage, aiming to dismantle barriers that undermine reciprocity and transparency.