Disagree that tariffs should be based on deficit.
Tariffs need only be reciprocal. They put 25% tariff on automobiles we do likewise. If the trade on automobiles is unequal then the tariffs need to be adjusted to compensate.
Tariffs can ultimately cost the consumer and since we don’t manufacture much anymore it is hard to penalize a consumer for buying a TV made in China when we don’t have one they can buy here in the USA.
Trump had the answer a little while ago when he said there should be NO tariffs on anything as long as the government gets involved in a direct subsidization of the manufacturers product such as the Chinese were doing with their steel and aluminum export.
Tariffs are the best and quickest method to address the problem of ugly trade deficits with any country.
Trump’s tariffs have already caused manufacturing to leave China.
Why manufacturing is so important? Because it is by far #1 wealth creator in the country. For example the outfit I worked for a quarter of a century, the cost of raw material was about 50 cents/lb (mostly steel) and the finished machine weighing average of 150 tons sold for $5/lb.
Once trade becomes balanced, tariffs are no longer necessary.