WASHINGTON
On his first day in office, US President Trump renamed North America’s highest peak, Denali, after former President William McKinley, who inspired him with protectionist policies from the late 19th century.
On Jan. 20, the day he assumed office, Trump issued several executive orders on issues like immigration and energy, but also drew attention with his attempt to rename an Alaskan mountain.
Despite campaign promises to prioritize new tariffs, Trump instead focused on renaming the mountain after McKinley, known for his historic tariffs, signaling his admiration for the former president.
Trump views McKinley's tariffs as boost for nation's wealth
Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 renaming North America’s highest peak from "Denali," a name rooted in Alaskan Indigenous heritage, back to "Mount McKinley," honoring the 25th US president.
The mountain’s name had been changed by former President Barack Obama in 2015 to "Denali," which was its Indigenous name.
Trump’s order emphasized McKinley’s leadership during an era of rapid economic growth and territorial expansion.
“President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent,” Trump said in his inaugural address.
Referring to McKinley as the "Tariff King," Trump again praised him on Jan. 21.
During a Republican party meeting in Florida, Trump mentioned plans to impose comprehensive tariffs on imported goods such as steel, aluminum, copper, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
“It’s time for the United States to return to the system that made us richer and more powerful than ever before,” Trump said, likening his approach to McKinley’s 19th-century tariff policies.
Legislation named after McKinley brought sharp tariff increases in 19th century
Trump’s admiration for McKinley has cast new light on the former president and his protectionist trade policies.
According to White House records, McKinley, born in Ohio in 1843, became a prominent "tariff expert" for the Republican Party during his 14 years in Congress, which he joined at age 34.
Before his presidency, McKinley championed tariffs as a means of shielding US industries from foreign competition.
Known as a "tariff enthusiast," McKinley’s legacy includes the 1890 tariff law that bears his name, which substantially raised customs duties on foreign products.
In the 1890s, customs tariffs accounted for nearly half of federal revenue, while today, they make up less than 2%, according to White House figures.
The think tank Tax Foundation notes that while many business owners supported the McKinley Tariff Act, it faced opposition from consumers due to rising prices.
McKinley’s legacy extends beyond tariffs to imperialist policies
McKinley, the 25th US president from 1897 until his assassination in 1901, also pursued territorial expansion to boost the economy and solidify America’s global standing.
Under his leadership, the US triumphed in the Spanish-American War in 1898, acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Trump embraces McKinley’s legacy
Given the parallels between Trump’s policy goals and McKinley’s approach, the decision to rename North America’s highest peak after the former president reflects Trump’s efforts to align himself with McKinley’s legacy.
Some historians, however, note that while McKinley advocated tariffs, he eventually recognized the importance of global trade. They add that US tariff rates remained relatively low until Trump’s election in 2016.
Although Trump, like McKinley, supports tariff policies, details of his specific trade strategies during his second term remain uncertain.
