History, they say, has a way of repeating itself—and according to a viral social media theory, America’s tariff wars are no exception. As U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his latest round of sweeping trade tariffs, the internet exploded with speculation that these protectionist policies eerily mirror past economic battles—ones that seem to reappear roughly every 100 years.
Dubbed "Liberation Day" by Trump himself, April 9 will mark the beginning of new tariffs hitting over 60 countries, including Lesotho, Laos, and Vietnam, with levies as high as 50%. Meanwhile, U.K. imports will face a 10% baseline tariff from April 5, and European Union nations have been slapped with a 20% duty.
During his dramatic announcement, Trump made his stance clear:
"For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike," he declared.
While the business world scrambles to assess the impact, history buffs on social media are drawing unexpected parallels, claiming that America’s past tariff moves—particularly in 1828, 1930, and now 2025—suggest a bizarre cycle of economic protectionism every century.
A 100-Year Tariff Curse? The Internet Thinks So
A viral tweet has ignited online debates, pointing out that major tariff acts in 1828 and 1930 preceded serious economic turmoil. The tweet read:
"All spaced about 100 years apart because everyone who remembers the last one needs to be dead for the next one to happen."
The user—while humorously oversimplifying history—suggested that past tariffs led to financial crises and jokingly added: “I hope this one makes us rich tho.”
A Look Back: The Tariff of Abominations and Smoot-Hawley Disaster
Historians, however, offer a more nuanced take.
The 1828 Tariff of Abominations, designed to protect northern and western U.S. agricultural products, had unintended consequences. While it bolstered certain industries, it sparked economic and political chaos, particularly in the South, where it raised the cost of living and triggered the Nullification Crisis of 1832.
Fast-forward a century later to 1930, and another infamous tariff act—the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act—dealt a catastrophic blow to the global economy. Passed in response to the 1929 stock market crash, this move raised import duties to protect American businesses but instead worsened the Great Depression by crippling global trade.
Economist Kris James Mitchener even called it “the mother of all trade wars.”
Will History Repeat Itself? Social Media Weighs In
With Trump’s tariffs now poised to reshape international trade once again, the internet is ablaze with opinions. While some express deep concern over rising costs for American businesses and consumers, others take a more pragmatic approach.
One Reddit user lamented: “Do Americans not write things down and learn from what happened before?”
Another joked: “I’m not a fan of tariffs, but I’ll just keep buying cheap stocks and let the smart people figure it out.”
Some, however, see a silver lining: "There will be some pain for sure. But the $38 trillion debt is the difference this time. Major correction has to happen. This one is at least managed," wrote a more optimistic commenter.
While social media debates the 100-year tariff theory, experts remain divided on whether Trump’s trade war will be another Smoot-Hawley-style disaster or a well-calculated move to revive American industry.
One thing is certain—whether history is repeating itself or not, the internet is having a field day with the speculation.
Dubbed "Liberation Day" by Trump himself, April 9 will mark the beginning of new tariffs hitting over 60 countries, including Lesotho, Laos, and Vietnam, with levies as high as 50%. Meanwhile, U.K. imports will face a 10% baseline tariff from April 5, and European Union nations have been slapped with a 20% duty.
During his dramatic announcement, Trump made his stance clear:
"For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike," he declared.
While the business world scrambles to assess the impact, history buffs on social media are drawing unexpected parallels, claiming that America’s past tariff moves—particularly in 1828, 1930, and now 2025—suggest a bizarre cycle of economic protectionism every century.
We’ve done this mass tariff thing 3 times in American history.
— stacy (@stacycay) April 3, 2025
1828, 1930, 2025.
All spaced about 100 years apart because everyone who remembers the last one needs to be dead for the next one to happen.
The last two caused a depression. I hope this one makes us rich tho.
A 100-Year Tariff Curse? The Internet Thinks So
A viral tweet has ignited online debates, pointing out that major tariff acts in 1828 and 1930 preceded serious economic turmoil. The tweet read:
"All spaced about 100 years apart because everyone who remembers the last one needs to be dead for the next one to happen."
“All spaced about 100 years apart because everyone who remembers the last one needs to be dead for the next one to happen.”
— Alex (@alex_remote) April 3, 2025
The most well worded post I’ve read today.
The user—while humorously oversimplifying history—suggested that past tariffs led to financial crises and jokingly added: “I hope this one makes us rich tho.”
A Look Back: The Tariff of Abominations and Smoot-Hawley Disaster
Historians, however, offer a more nuanced take.
The 1828 Tariff of Abominations, designed to protect northern and western U.S. agricultural products, had unintended consequences. While it bolstered certain industries, it sparked economic and political chaos, particularly in the South, where it raised the cost of living and triggered the Nullification Crisis of 1832.
Fast-forward a century later to 1930, and another infamous tariff act—the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act—dealt a catastrophic blow to the global economy. Passed in response to the 1929 stock market crash, this move raised import duties to protect American businesses but instead worsened the Great Depression by crippling global trade.
Economist Kris James Mitchener even called it “the mother of all trade wars.”
Will History Repeat Itself? Social Media Weighs In
With Trump’s tariffs now poised to reshape international trade once again, the internet is ablaze with opinions. While some express deep concern over rising costs for American businesses and consumers, others take a more pragmatic approach.
One Reddit user lamented: “Do Americans not write things down and learn from what happened before?”
Another joked: “I’m not a fan of tariffs, but I’ll just keep buying cheap stocks and let the smart people figure it out.”
Some, however, see a silver lining: "There will be some pain for sure. But the $38 trillion debt is the difference this time. Major correction has to happen. This one is at least managed," wrote a more optimistic commenter.
While social media debates the 100-year tariff theory, experts remain divided on whether Trump’s trade war will be another Smoot-Hawley-style disaster or a well-calculated move to revive American industry.
One thing is certain—whether history is repeating itself or not, the internet is having a field day with the speculation.
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