"Let's be consistent-- tariffs are taxes."
Let's be truthful too. Tariffs paid for the operating costs of the US government before state and federal income taxes.
We're on the same side here-- we're both in favor of truth and consistency. We both like tax-cuts so we both should want to cut import taxes too. Our only serious questions should be which, how much, and when.
Import taxes did not finance the American revolution, they caused it. Britain recognized US independence in 1783. It wasn't until 1789 that the US central government was even allowed to impose tariffs; before then it had gotten all it's money from state taxes and deficit spending financed by borrowing. After '89, the feds got most of it's money from sales taxes. There was a tax revolt and Washington (the guy not the town) sent in troops. The first US embassy was set up in Amsterdam to negotiate free trade. Washington's administration was even working on a bilateral agreement with China. It's all available on the internet. Read about it here: It tells about how tariffs weren't important until the 1890's when the Supreme Court ruled the flat tax unconstitutional.