“Tariffs protect American jobs! Other countries pay the tax!”

What You Say

Tariffs are paid by U.S. importers and passed to consumers — the Tax Foundation and CBO both model them as a tax on American buyers, not foreign governments. Retaliatory tariffs hit U.S. farmers and manufacturers in export markets. Protectionism didn't save the Rust Belt; it raised prices on cars, appliances, and construction materials.