Could someone who knows about tariffs, please answer these questions:
If the purpose of tariffs is to raise revenue, then why don’t we have tariffs on everything applied equally?
If the purpose of tariffs is to protect American industry, then why don’t we have tariffs on anything produced in the US?
To me, a hodgepodge of tariffs at different rates looks far more like politicians rewarding favored industries (contributors) and punishing enemies.
"Whereas it is necessary for that support of government, for the discharge of the debts of the United States, and the encouragement and protection of manufactures, that duties be laid on goods, wares and merchandise:"[1]
Income taxes are evil. Composition taxes are less evil.
“If the purpose of tariffs is to protect American industry, then why don’t we have tariffs on anything produced in the US?”
In the 80’s Reagan slapped a 100% tariff on Japanese motorcycles, saved Harley-Davidson, then the tariffs were lifted.
Just wait until China starts exporting motorcycles, and cars...
>Could someone who knows about tariffs, please answer these questions:
>If the purpose of tariffs is to raise revenue, then why don’t we have tariffs on everything applied equally?
We haven’t had tariffs for funding since the income tax.
>If the purpose of tariffs is to protect American industry, then why don’t we have tariffs on anything produced in the US?
Huh? They’re designed to increase American industry not to protect those industry from local competition.
>To me, a hodgepodge of tariffs at different rates looks far more like politicians rewarding favored industries (contributors) and punishing enemies.
All political policies are as you describe it. The question is whether that political corruption serves our over all interests or not and in the case of restoring our manufacturing base it surly does.