In general, I don't have a problem with tariffs, either. But assessing tariffs in this nation's economic climate is absolutely moronic, because we would then have both income taxes
and tariffs to contend with. Taxpayers wouldn't even be able to afford those products that are supposedly being protected by the tariffs!
If this sounds familiar, it is -- it's called "the European system."
You've hit on the chicken-and-egg conundrum. We need to eliminate the burdens that taxes, regulations and unions impose on businesses AND impose tariffs. It's a bit disingenuous to claim on the one hand that businesses deserve to go under, and then on the other oppose tariffs on the basis that with government regs and taxes, it would be a double hit.
I think we should completely scrap the income tax system - completely - and go back to funding the government with tariffs. Now I know, free traders start screaming, "Tariffs are Taxes!"
The difference is, tariffs work like a consumption tax, and in that regard are much more equitable than the current progressive tax system.