Broad tariffs like the ones the EU imposes are one thing, and they can be argued on their own merits and deficiencies. But targeted tariffs that only apply to certain products and (especially) raw materials are a whole different story. They effectively pit one U.S. industry against another, depending on who is producing something protected by a tariff and who is buying it for their own manufacturing process.
Buchanan's example of a $50,000 Lexus with a 20% tariff is a perfect case in point. Why would a Japanese automaker relocate its production facilities to the U.S. to avoid this 20% tariff if the cars they build here are either going to be: (1) built using more expensive domestic parts and raw materials, or (2) built with imported materials that will be subject to their own tariffs anyway?
You’re an idiot. The Nips can stuff their Luxus’s up there Keisters.