How Tariffs Could Boost the US Economy and Fix the Trade Imbalance With China

Tariffs on foreign partners played a big role in China’s economic transformation and could be a big factor in the U.S. recovery.

A cargo ship sails into the port in Qingdao, in eastern Shandong Province, China, on Oct. 13, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

The common understanding of tariffs is that they are bad for trade. That can be true, but not always. They certainly helped China develop in a number of ways.