-A tariff is a tax on any item imported into the U.S.A -Taft wanted high tariffs to make foreign products cost more so people would be more likely to buy U.S.A products -Roosevelt wanted low tariffs so we can buy things from other countries cheaper -Finally a compromise, the Payne Aldrich Tariff Bill, passed but most politicians didn't like it. Taft thought it did help our country - The compromise was a tariff that was not as high as pro tariffs as politicians wanted.