Which group opposed tariffs due to the increased costs of imports for trading agricultural goods?

The Southern states opposed tariffs primarily because these tariffs raised the costs of imported goods, which was detrimental to their agricultural economy. The South relied heavily on the importation of goods, including essentials and manufactured items, as their economy was predominantly based on agriculture and exporting cash crops like cotton and tobacco. High tariffs meant that the prices for these imported goods became more expensive, negatively affecting farmers and consumers in the region who were already facing financial pressures.

In contrast, Northern states, urban centers, and the merchant class had differing interests regarding tariffs. Northern states often supported higher tariffs to protect their burgeoning manufacturing industries, believing that tariffs would encourage domestic production by making imported goods less competitive in terms of price. Urban centers, which included many industrial locations, shared similar interests with the North in favor of protective tariffs. The merchant class also often leaned towards supporting tariffs when they facilitated higher prices for domestic goods, aligning more with Northern economic goals rather than those of the Southern agricultural sector. Hence, the opposition from the Southern states is rooted in the direct impact tariffs had on their economic viability and cost of living, making them the correct answer in this context.