Lessons from Harley-Davidson: Protectionism Can Work

When the Post ran a piece on the lessons that Harley-Davidson teaches us about the economy readers naturally assumed that it would mention it as an example of successful protectionism. In 1982, in the middle of a steep recession, President Reagan imposed tariffs on imported motorcycles. This gave Harley-Davidson the breathing room it needed to survive the recession and modernize its operations. It continues to be a healthy profitable company.

Anyhow, this history didn't make the Post's list,...