Avon Library To Answer Question Of 'What's A Tariff?'

AVON, CT — Not usually one of the most exciting aspects of American history, tariffs — or taxes on trade — seem to be dominating the headlines since President Donald Trump has taken office.

Next week, the Avon Free Public Library is hosting an event that will look into how tariffs work and what role they have played in history.

The program, called "Taxes on Trade, American-Made: A Brief History of United States Tariffs in Eight Acts," is an in-person event at the library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, on Thursday, May 29, at 6:30 pm.

The presentation will examine key constitutional, political, and socio-economic debates about American tariffs from Washington’s presidency through the post-World War II era.

Discussion will center on several watershed moments, from Hamilton’s fiscal and economic program through the creation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

While Trump's controversial tariffs, which many experts say are crashing the economy, are an impetus for the program, the program itself will not be a political discussion about Trump's tariffs.

"This program will focus on the history of tariffs," wrote the library in an announcement.

"We will not be analyzing, solving, or contextualizing the present-day situation. This program is meant to provide context."

The presenter is Bristol native Francis Michael Coan.

He holds a bachelor's degree in geography and a master's degree in history from Central Connecticut State University. He also has a Ph.D. in history from the University of Connecticut.

For more information and to register for the free program, click on this link.