Why do they list Russia as an “enemy”? That’s a neocon-Democrat talking point. Russia has lower income taxes than we do. Why am I supposed to fear Russia - and why are tariffs (sanctions) on Russian products fine with these “free market” economists?
Neocons seem to hate Russia because it blocked US-supported Islamic rebels from taking down Syria’s government. When did the American people agree to go to war against Syria’s government? Do these “free market” economists believe we should be spending tax dollars to take out Syria’s government? Why?
You are today’s winner of the Putin Employee of the Day.
Tariffs are a tool, an implement, much like the graphite rods in atomic reactors, used to slow down the excessive rate of reaction when in place, and withdrawn when the reaction speed has been slowed by just a little too much.
A tax? Tariffs have been used as such, but if relied upon too greatly to “generate” revenue, they become self-defeating. Tariffs should actually be revenue-neutral, ideally applied only to keep an excessively underpriced product from entering the country, when there is a good and abiding need that the nation become fully self-sufficient in production of that commodity or goods should the flow from another country become uncertain or embargoed completely. When the price from another country is directly comparable for the same price as production within your own country, then the tariff may be lifted or reduced to a very nominal level.
Tariffs are also useful as an economic weapon to be used in either attempting to gain a diplomatic parity with another country, or by reduction, a reward for acceptable behavior. It is assumed that economic self-interest is at work with both parties to a trade agreement.
Tariff agreements are very much like diplomatic negotiations, and in fact, are often linked in practice. When tariff and diplomatic negotiations break down, war often soon follows.