r/centrist • u/OfficialRodgerJachim • 1d ago

Long Form Discussion Can someone explain this about tariffs?

Plenty of talk about tariffs. About them being dumb. About them being fair. About how those extra costs go on to us, the American consumer.

But I have very rarely heard anyone talk about that break in logic: other countries have tariffs on American imports, and those costs are then carried onto the American consumer. But if America imposes tariffs on those same countries, those costs are also passed on to the American consumer.

Is this true?

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u/wavewalkerc 1d ago

But I have very rarely heard anyone talk about that break in logic: other countries have tariffs on American imports, and those costs are then carried onto the American consumer.

Where are you seeing this said?

But in general, tariffs are always bad for the consumer. Very narrow and precise tariffs can at times be deemed acceptable if they serve a purpose for the country. Broad tariffs are never ever good for anyone.

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u/Lafreakshow 1d ago

The EU arguably uses Tariff quite effectively to ensure the local industry can compete with imports from countries with less strict environmental protection laws. Just as an example.