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President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of sweeping tariffs on imports has reignited debates about the economic consequences of trade restrictions. Among those expressing concerns is Carey Stewart Cezar, a retired nurse from Baltimore, who has a personal connection to one of the most controversial tariff policies in U.S. history.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act
Cezar, 70, is the great-granddaughter of Rep. Willis C. Hawley, a Republican from Oregon who co-sponsored the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. The law, which significantly increased import duties, is widely blamed for worsening the Great Depression by triggering global trade retaliation. Economic historians argue that such measures deepen financial crises rather than alleviating them.
“My great-grandfather’s policy had devastating effects,” Cezar said in a phone interview. “People don’t realize the harm tariffs have caused in the past.”
A Family’s Embarrassment Over a Controversial Law
The impact of the Smoot-Hawley Act lingered in Cezar’s family history. Her mother, growing up in the aftermath of the Great Depression, was ashamed of the Hawley name due to its association with economic turmoil. “She was relieved to take a different last name after marriage,” Cezar recalled.
Among her family’s preserved artifacts from that era are ration tickets for food and essentials, a stark reminder of how trade policies can affect everyday life.
Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Fears
Trump’s new tariff policies, aimed at bolstering American manufacturing, have already sent shockwaves through the financial markets. The S&P 500 futures fell 1.5% in after-hours trading following his announcement, highlighting investor uncertainty. Wall Street analysts warn that such tariffs could drive up consumer prices and reduce global trade efficiency.
Cezar, who closely follows economic trends, noted that her 401(k) retirement account lost about 10% of its value amid tariff speculation. “This doesn’t feel like a golden age,” she said, challenging Trump’s optimistic outlook.
Public Concern Over Tariff Policies
Trump has long argued that the U.S. has been taken advantage of in trade deals, using strong rhetoric to justify his protectionist policies. However, economists and historians caution that history might repeat itself if aggressive tariffs lead to economic downturns.
Cezar took to social media to encourage others to research the effects of tariffs on the economy. “I just wanted people to look at history,” she said. Her post received no replies, a sign that public awareness about trade policies remains limited.
Is the Economy in Trouble? A Rocky Road Ahead
With the future of U.S. trade policy in flux, the debate over tariffs is far from over. Experts warn that long-term economic consequences could emerge as global trade partners respond with countermeasures. For individuals like Cezar, who have witnessed the consequences of protectionist policies through their family history, Trump’s new tariffs bring an unsettling sense of déjà vu.
