President Taft had a generally favorable view of tariffs. He believed in using protective tariffs to support American industries and promote economic growth. Taft believed that tariffs would help protect domestic businesses from foreign competition and stimulate domestic production. He signed the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act in 1909, which aimed to reduce tariffs but ended up angering both protectionists and free traders. Overall, Taft's views on tariffs leaned towards protectionism.