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Craig Baird - Canadian History Ehx@CraigBaird · Aug 22, 2026

This isn't the first time the USA has placed 50% tariffs on Canada. In 1890, the USA's Tariff Act was touted as a way…

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Summary

The 1890 McKinley Tariff imposed 38-49.5% duties on imports, partly intended to force Canadian annexation to the US by making Canada economically dependent. The plan backfired spectacularly—Canada instead strengthened ties with Britain, increased exports there, and rallied behind nationalist sentiment, ultimately becoming more unified and independent.

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  1. #1

    This isn't the first time the USA has placed 50% tariffs on Canada. In 1890, the USA's Tariff Act was touted as a way to build up American industry, but the true goal was forcing the annexation of Canada. It backfired and made Canada stronger. This is the story. 📸 LoC 🧵1/10

  2. #2

    Put forward by William McKinley, who was a Congressman at that point, the Tariff Act put duties across imports ranging from 38% to 49.5%. McKinley was called the Napoleon of Protection. While some items had tariffs eliminated, most had tariffs increased. 📸 LoC 🧵2/10

  3. #3

    One reason for the tariffs was to force the annexation of Canada. The McKinley Tariff declined to make an exception for Canadian products. It was hoped this would make Canada more reliant on the US market, and push Canadians to become the 45th state. 🧵3/10

  4. #4

    Secretary of State James G. Blaine believed that annexation would eliminate competition with Canada over fishing and timber rights. Blaine co-authored the Tariff Act. He stated of annexation: "a grander and nobler brotherly love, that may unite in the end” 📸 LoC 🧵4/10

  5. #5

    British politician Lyon Playfair saw the Tariff Act for what it was. He called it a covert attack on Canada, Both Britain and the United States believed the Tariff Act would drive Canada to join the United States. In reality, it had the complete opposite result. 🧵5/10

  6. #6

    The Tariff Act pushed Canada to align itself more with Britain. People began to rally behind their "love for Queen, flag, and country". Sir John A. Macdonald used the tariffs as a rallying cry in the 1891 election and was able to win another majority government. 📸 LAC 🧵6/10

  7. #7

    Within two years of the Tariff Act, agricultural exports from Canada to Britain rose from $3.5 million to $15 million. Produce and animal exports to Britain also grew from $16 million to $24 million during that same period. 🧵7/10

  8. #8

    Minister of Trade and Commerce Mackenzie Bowell said: “The McKinley Bill, instead of destroying the trade of this country, has only diverted it from the United States to England." Meanwhile, American consumers dealt with a sharp increases in prices. 📸 LAC 🧵8/10

  9. #9

    The Republicans lost the 1890 Congressional elections, losing 93 seats while the Democrats gained 86. In 1892, the Democrats gained control of the Senate, House and Presidency. They then replaced the Tariff Act with a new act that lowered tariffs. 🧵9/10

  10. #10

    I hope you enjoyed that look at the McKinley Tariffs and the impact on Canada. If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇 buymeacoffee.com/craigu *sources in next post* 🧵10/10

  11. #11

    *sources* US Global Investors: buff.ly/h76IAoZ TIME: buff.ly/qHYpqI4 Canadian Geographic: buff.ly/swutmD0 Forbes: buff.ly/GzZTyYI