Why did the high tariffs on industrial products during the late 1800s have a negative impact on farmers?

Question

Responses
A High tariffs encouraged overproduction of crops and led to a severe deflation in the prices of crops.High tariffs encouraged overproduction of crops and led to a severe deflation in the prices of crops.
B High tariffs required farm workers be paid artificially high wages for the use of heavy, industrial products.High tariffs required farm workers be paid artificially high wages for the use of heavy, industrial products.
C High tariffs on industrial products made farm tools expensive, but a lack of tariffs on crops kept farm products low.High tariffs on industrial products made farm tools expensive, but a lack of tariffs on crops kept farm products low.
D High tariffs led to an inflated circulation of gold, which drove down the price of the dollar, thus, the price of crops.High tariffs led to an inflated circulation of gold, which drove down the price of the dollar, thus, the price of crops.

Answer 1

The best response that explains why high tariffs on industrial products during the late 1800s had a negative impact on farmers is:

C: High tariffs on industrial products made farm tools expensive, but a lack of tariffs on crops kept farm products low.

This explanation highlights the contradiction that farmers faced: while they needed industrial products (like tools and machinery) that became more expensive due to tariffs, the prices for the crops they produced remained low because there were no protections against imported agricultural products. This created financial stress for farmers who had to spend more on necessary equipment while not receiving higher prices for their own goods.