That only works if other countries do too. Until then I see your tariff and raise you
There’s the rub.
Free Trade is a two-way street. Both sides have to accept trade from the other without restrictions.
You don’t get other countries to give up their tariffs by permitting them to keep imposing them without any punishment. Why would they give up their tariffs if you just sit there quietly buying their products while they buy none of yours.
I agree with the Kochs that Free Trade is the ideal. But the world today is not anywhere close to that ideal. Why should we be the only country with our markets open to free trade.