[Jim W N]

By operation, U.S. tariffs will force higher prices on those targeted items upon which U.S. tariffs are imposed. Like shooting yourself in the foot.

Although government-forced higher prices on a particular import may help certain industry special interests who have lobbied for such protection, the American consumer, American OEM enterprise that use targeted components, and, thus, the economy in general, suffers accordingly from such. U.S. protective tariffs are a net loss for America.

So-called “trade wars” consist of one country shooting itself in the foot because the other shot itself in the foot. Insanity.

Answer? DON’T shoot yourself in the foot because the other guy did. Let the voluntary cooperation between buyers and sellers in the open supply and demand of marketplace free from government interference work it out and do what it does best: CREATE WEALTH.

In the meantime, get rid of the CAUSE that cripples our cost-effective, superior America products: government meddling and interference which CREATES POVERTY.

[Ouderkirk]

In a pure sense you are right, however, state-subsidized materials being “dumped” in the US market below market prices to eliminate domestic producers, also raises prices when the purpose of the dumping achieves its goals.

[Mariner]

“In the meantime, get rid of the CAUSE that cripples”

The EU assesses a 19% VAT on the import of all finished goods, and frees their own finished goods for the 19% standard VAT if it is exported.

Is this one of the causes you refer to above? Or, would you be OK with such a practice remaining without US steps to correct it?

[Cobra64]

“demand of marketplace free from government interference...” tell that to the Europeans and the Chinese. Have you ever run a multinational corporation?.

[fortheDeclaration]

Sadly, the other nations aren't playing by the rules and don't have a free market system like we do.

They are going to protect their industries.

[central_va]

Ok they impose tariffs on us and we are the bad guy? They started it with there tariffs a long time ago. Free Traitors™ are the scum if the earth.

[Sam Gamgee]

You sum up my main opposition to serious tariffs. It is not done to enrich consumers or workers, but for the bottom line of those “close” to the halls of government.

[Svartalfiar]

Answer? DON’T shoot yourself in the foot because the other guy did. Let the voluntary cooperation between buyers and sellers in the open supply and demand of marketplace free from government interference work it out and do what it does best: CREATE WEALTH.

Um, it's not an "open supply and demand of marketplace" when some countries heavily subsidize certain industries, or place large tariffs on US goods. Take the vehicles mentioned above - the US imposes a 2.5% tariff on EU cars, while the EU imposes a 10% tariff on US manufactured vehicles.

Really, what we should do instesad of imposing a flat 10/25% tariff on certain goods, is look at each country's tariffs on our goods, how much gov subsidizing is going on, how open they are to US goods, and then impose a relative tariff on all imports from that country.