> The only difference is to what degree they wield the tariff hammer, and in which direction it is swung.
I mean that's the point, no? Swing the hammer carefully at a nail or with maximum force at your own leg?
Or to drop the metaphor - much of the difference between good and bad policy is a difference in degree. So your counterargument here is valid against "all tariffs are bad" but I believe the point most are making is "the current admin's use of tariffs is bad" which makes your counter appear as a bad-faith mischaracterization.
I mean that's the point, no? Swing the hammer carefully at a nail or with maximum force at your own leg?
Or to drop the metaphor - much of the difference between good and bad policy is a difference in degree. So your counterargument here is valid against "all tariffs are bad" but I believe the point most are making is "the current admin's use of tariffs is bad" which makes your counter appear as a bad-faith mischaracterization.