Sugar plantations were the backbone of the european american hawaiian economy. sugar was also the main hawaiian export to the united states. for many years, hawaiian sugar was sold tariff-free in the united states. in 1890, the us congress passed the mckinley tariff act tariff treaty of nanjing tariff treaty of kanagawa , which removed tariffs on all foreign sugar imports. this change meant that hawaiian sugar producers had to compete with other nations in the us market.

The congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the united states . .; to borrow money on the credit of the united states; to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the indian tribes. —constitution of the united states, article i, section 8 which of these are expressed powers granted by this part of article i, section 8? check all that apply. lay and collect taxes and duties pay debts regulate american indian groups regulate commerce within states borrow money regulate commerce with foreign nations