Comment by rayiner

Again, just because Sanders would support some protectionist policies doesn't mean he supports the tariffs going on now. He's on the record saying they're a regressive sales tax benefiting the wealthy.

Which is why I was pointing out your comment is disingenuous by insinuating Sanders would support the tariffs because it's anti-free trade.

Protectionism is usually about protecting existing jobs and industries.

This idea of blanket tariffs to try and kickstart industries is unique.

You're really driving home this "Hey everyone, Trump is just doing exactly what Pat Buchanan and Bernie Sanders agreed to do".

This is the equivalent of saying that any anti-war protester is instantly a complete ideological pacifist. It's illogical.

I challenge you to find a policy paper endorsed by Sanders that said "let's do universal tariffs on the entire planet by taking the inverse of our trade balance - and leave Russia out of it".

Everyone knows tariffs are a tool, often meant to encourage domestic production (when applicable and feasible) or to protect against unfair foreign trade practices.

They do not work as a permanent source of revenue in the modern era, and they can never operate as both a strong source of revenue AND a tool for repatriation of production. If they work as revenue, that means production stays foreign. If they work as incentive, they will diminish in revenue.

Nothing about this makes sense unless your goal is to tear down the US and the USD as a global economic power and global reserve currency. This is not about making America strong.