what were the issues with lowering tariffs during the gilded age?

Answer 1

US farmers were always, and still are, for free trade but industry and labor wanted high tariffs to protect their products from foreign competition. In the late 1800's some industries became competitive in world markets, and slowly the position of industry reversed so by the end of WWI most joined the farmers in supporting free trade. Labor continued to favor trade restriction, and still do, because they do not want to compete with cheap foreign labor.