I took the time to investigate this “tariff” issue! And what I found, tariffs began with the Founding Fathers. The following is based on findings from Economic historian Douglas Irwin.

Tariffs historically played a key role in the trade policy of the United States. Economic historian Douglas Irwin classifies U.S. tariff history into three periods: a revenue period (ca. 1790–1860), a restriction period (1861–1933) and a reciprocity period (from 1934 onwards). In the first period, from 1790 to 1860, average tariffs increased from 20 percent to 60 percent before declining again to 20 percent.[1] From 1861 to 1933, which Irwin characterizes as the “restriction period”, the average tariffs rose to 50 percent and remained at that level for several decades. From 1934 onwards, in the “reciprocity period”, the average tariff declined substantially until it leveled off at 5 percent.[1] Especially after 1942, the U.S. began to promote worldwide free trade. After the 2016 presidential election which saw the election of

According to Irwin, tariffs were intended to serve three primary purposes: “to raise revenue for the government, to restrict imports and protect domestic producers from foreign competition, and to reach reciprocity agreements that reduce trade barriers.”[1]creased trade protectionism.[2][3][4][5]

“There was a Consensus among the Founding Fathers that tariffs were the most efficient way of raining public funds…” Before 1913 the Nation funded itself primarily through tariffs.

If you take the time to research tariffs you will see, there was a distinct divide between parties based mostly on location the Whig/Republican North & the Democratic South. History shows tariffs were constantly a Congressional fight for YEARS! 

My point is that tariffs are nothing new! Tariffs are a necessary evil to level the playing field when it comes to fair trade, and protecting the US GDP. Biden quietly increased tariffs on China on solar cells and lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries, steel, aluminum and medical equipment. No foreign country should have that kind of control.  

Remember, the US was at its economic height during the Industrial Revolution. The US made everything from the smallest widget to airplanes and warships and grew all our food and raised cattle! I bet most of your relatives worked in a factory if they weren’t on a farm!

It is time the US got back to making the widgets!! This will open doors for more entrepreneurs and reduce our dependency on imports.  Let the tariffs work, it will force US & foreign based companies to come back  to the US creating more jobs!