What I don't understand is the attitude that tariffs will not increase prices to end consumers by approximately the amount of the tariff. Trump is pretending he thinks "tariffs" equals "other countries giving us money", but obviously the money is actually going to be coming out of the pockets of American consumers. I don't have a high opinion of Trump but I also can't believe he's that stupid. What's the "pro" argument here?
Edit: I also note that the tariff levels he's talking about are absolutely beyond sanity. I saw an interview where he said "100%, 200%, even 2000%" when throwing out numbers for EV tariffs on China. I have to assume this is hyperbolic but he's talking about it as if he's serious. The only ways I can see supporting these wild numbers are either 1) assuming he's joking, or 2) being truly financially illiterate.
Edit: I also note that the tariff levels he's talking about are absolutely beyond sanity. I saw an interview where he said "100%, 200%, even 2000%" when throwing out numbers for EV tariffs on China. I have to assume this is hyperbolic but he's talking about it as if he's serious. The only ways I can see supporting these wild numbers are either 1) assuming he's joking, or 2) being truly financially illiterate.