IMHO, in some ways a tariff is like a fair tax (sales tax), which some of us on FR have advocated for. Of course, when we call for that, we always say it should replace the income tax. We never want it to be both taxes.
But on the other hand, how often is the end consumer paying the tariff? Price is set by supply and demand, not by what goes into bringing the product to market. I don't see how the tariff can impact demand. But can some tariffs impact supply (if the tariff makes the cost to market too much for some suppliers to stay in business)? I guess there are some products for which that would happen (thus the tariffs do raise the end consumer's price). But if Trump's tariffs cause some countries to reduce their tariffs and import restrictions, and we therefore remove or greatly reduce the tariff on our end, then the end result is more free market.
Tariffs are the ultimate arbiter in supply side economics as to whether a product makes sense to produce domestically or to import. If wholesale price + tariff + transportation requires a market price that exceeds what the consumers are willing to pay, then the product should be produced locally or not at all. If it is produced locally, that means the economics of the product are such that locals can be paid a fair wage to produce it while still allowing the manufacturer to make a profit. Without tariffs, you cut out the bottom of your labor pool from stable employment.
Thanks for the explanation