Benjamin Harrison

Presidency

What tariff bearing a future president’s name did Harrison sign?

Harrison signed into law the so-called McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, named after U.S. senator William McKinley of Ohio, who would later go on to become president. This tariff established a very high tariff rate (48 percent) in order to protect U.S. industry. However, the tariff was unpopular and contributed to displeasure with the Republican Party and Harrison.