In simple terms, because they are as confused as we are. Protectionist tariffs are like shooting yourself in the foot. It penalizes the consumers of the country putting up the tariffs by forcing them to pay more for the same product. The idea of of economic retaliation by putting up tariffs is like saying, "Well if you shoot yourself in the foot, so will I". Really dumb.
“It penalizes the consumers of the country putting up the tariffs by forcing them to pay more for the same product. “
It rewards domestic production, which creates jobs and general prosperity.
You mean, after all these centuries, yes, millennia, with trillions of dollars at stake, all these financiers can’t understand what you think you understand and is so simple for you to grasp?