[Mr. Mojo]

Re: #2, I have no problem with Vance’s advocacy for tariffs used as a tool to raise government revenue and protect American industries. On this issue he’s on the side of not only Hamilton (as mentioned), but Washington, Madison, Calhoun, McKinley, and many others. Not exactly a “leftist” bunch.

That said, I prefer others to be the GOP standard-bearer in 2028.

[TBP]

Tariffs are taxes; we pay them. They raise prices. That causes fewer sales of American goods, less American production, and job loss.

Now, the argument is made that the tariffs will only drive up the prices of foreign goods. Maybe, but let’s say we drive the price of foreign goods up 10%. American producers will take advantage of that and raise prices 8% so they’s still slightly under the foreign price.

When the price of the whole product sector increases, sales of that product sector go down, unless it’s a must-buy like gasoline. Even then, if you drive less, you buy less gas.

So you’re rally not protecting anyone except the wealthy Establishment.

[Wallace T.]

John Calhoun may have started his political career as a supporter of high tariffs, but for most of his political career, he was an opponent of high tariffs, believing that they benefited the industrial North and hurt the agricultural South. Calhoun resigned as Vice President in 1832 to become a U.S. Senator for South Carolina so he could better fight the tariffs and lead the nullification movement.