Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act was a U.S. law passed in 1934 that gave the President the authority to negotiate bilateral trade agreements with other countries. This law replaced the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which had significantly increased tariffs on imported goods, leading to retaliation from other countries and a decline in international trade.
The decision to replace Smoot-Hawley with the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act was motivated by a desire to reduce tariffs and increase international trade. The new law allowed the President to negotiate lower tariffs with other countries in exchange for reciprocal reductions in tariffs on U.S. exports.
Overall, the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act represented a shift towards trade liberalization and freer trade policies, as opposed to the more protectionist policies of the Smoot-Hawley era.