“Buy American” campaigns with somewhat less revolutionary aims have been periodically invoked ever since. Most recently, President Donald Trump—who dubbed himself the “Buy American, Hire American” president during his first term—has countered opposition to his administration’s chaotic tariff regime by telling supporters that purchasing goods made in the US will strengthen the country. The theory behind his moves is classic protectionism: Unfettered foreign imports undermine American industry, so making those goods less desirable to consumers by raising their price safeguards high-paying US manufacturing jobs and expands the domestic economy. The logic is compelling to people on both sides of the political aisle. Lots of Americans perceive foreign goods as inferior junk anyway, so why not buy things that help our neighbors stay employed?