I wouldn’t have a problem with cell phones, either, if they were used to get jobs, but I really don’t think that’s the case. I’d feel even better if, when they do get a job, they turn in the cell phone for someone else to use.
I’m not a big fan on tariff or quotas. Years ago the steel industry was bitching because Japan was “dumping steel in the US at less than their cost”. Really? The result was import quotas and tariffs that raised the price of steel to protect and industry still using 1890’s technology and employing about 10,000 workers. So, every consumer of steel, from cars to spoons pays higher prices so less efficient workers can get $42/hour. There are dozens of like products, from oil to electronics. Plus, why should the gov’t get the revenues when they do nothing to earn it? Unfettered markets work.
Raise them across the board not for specific industries. We are paying for cheap imports twice. Once when we pay for the product and again when we pay to support the unemployed Americans.
Import tariffs worked well for this country for 180+ years. What we’ve seen since we’ve lowered them is our industries devastated and our enemies like China empowered.