It is not just those countries. I know that the EU uses their VAT as sort of a tariff. Goods exported outside of the EU are not assessed VAT and everything being imported is assessed the VAT at the rate of the country importing it. That makes American goods cost 15-27% more while their goods come to the US costing 15-27% less than a consumer pays for them in their country of origin. How is that not a tariff and how would it be unfair to charge those countries a tariff equal to their VAT rate on their goods we import?
“How is that not a tariff and how would it be unfair to charge those countries a tariff equal to their VAT rate on their goods we import?”
Yes it is a tariff and no it not be unfair. However, I am sure there are posters who will let us know how we are wrong.