Three actually. The admin has also consistently claimed that they’re a new source of revenue that will offset tax cuts (in some versions this removes income taxes entirely).
And yes, as you said (and I’ve made this point more than a few times on here myself), each version of what the tariffs do is mutually exclusive with the others. If they’re a bargaining tactic, they cannot be a source of revenue or a permanent change to manufacturing, because a bargaining tactic requires the offer of the tariffs being removed. Even if they’re not actually a bargaining tactic and are in fact intended to be permanent, they can’t be both a source of revenue and a way to rebuild American manufacturing. For the tariffs to be a source of revenue, imports have to continue at their existing levels. If manufacturing repatriates, the revenue disappears.
Three actually. The admin has also consistently claimed that they’re a new source of revenue that will offset tax cuts (in some versions this removes income taxes entirely).
And yes, as you said (and I’ve made this point more than a few times on here myself), each version of what the tariffs do is mutually exclusive with the others. If they’re a bargaining tactic, they cannot be a source of revenue or a permanent change to manufacturing, because a bargaining tactic requires the offer of the tariffs being removed. Even if they’re not actually a bargaining tactic and are in fact intended to be permanent, they can’t be both a source of revenue and a way to rebuild American manufacturing. For the tariffs to be a source of revenue, imports have to continue at their existing levels. If manufacturing repatriates, the revenue disappears.
Very good point, though I kind of tied that up with “we’re making America self-sufficient.“ but you’re right it could be seen as a 3rd one