“That’s what I thought. “Protectionism” has become such a dirty word, but I kind of like it. Am I bad person?”
The danger is that it gets exploited in a crony capitalist fashion.
But OTOH if you don’t address the mercantile export model of your rivals you end up with industries being gutted and the resulting loss of jobs. Tariffs are one tool available.
I guess there are upsides and downsides to almost any policy. One of the things I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is how important it is to have balance in everything. Personally as well as at a national level. I guess another word for it in its application would be common sense.