The legacy of US trade policy is that of protection and has been evident at nearly every stage of its existence and certainly now more than ever. To understand how we got to where we are now, we must start with one of the most renowned statesmen in American history. Enter Hamilton The story of US trade policy begins with the tenure of the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

Trade has been a part of the economic landscape throughout history and has expanded considerably with the passage of time; it has expanded greatly with the advent of better transportation technology over time. During the 19th century, trade liberalization began after the previous consensus of mercantilism, which seeks to maximize exports and minimize imports. From after World War 2, and especially in the last 40 years, trade has become much more open with the average global tariff rate at 2.