This could become a very complex discussion really fast. However the point of some if these tariffs isnt to do large scale harm in other economies. Rather it is to address businesses harmed in the USA by targetted policies in other countries.
Countries like China, Canada and many others block exports from the USA via a number of means. Often this blockage is irrational so addressing these unfair practices makes a lot of sense for the USA.
An example here is the smuggling of milk powder / infant formula into China due to the populations complete lost of confidence in locally produced solutions.
Another shocker is the EUs resistance to American food products, sometimes simply due to higher standards for cleanliness. Lets not even consider the EU's bias with respect to American companies and legal disputes.
I cant say tariffs are right in every case but we as a country have been abused for a long time now. Frankly i dont see tariffs having a big impact on the USA if they do degenerate into a trade war. At least from the perspective of China much of what we import from there is still junk we can live without. In the end it would be better if the barriers we already face came down. Also the targetting of American businesses with government support must stop.
From the 'FWIW' dept; I run small US manufacturer, which has some customers in China. Recent conversation I had with couple customers, I mentioned concern over upcoming trade war. Most of the replies were "we'll be fine, but US won't". They weren't offered sarcastically, or meant to be insulting. Instead, my impression these came from source of confidence, and understanding of the economic reality.
It would be foolish for anybody to believe that a trade war will be good. It is also foolish to try to predict an outcome. However in the case of China they have employed many practices for years that have directly harmed the US so from that perspective the trade war has been on for years with only one side fighting.
Of course, one can't extrapolate from a few instances to something this large and important. Still, interesting...
There is much that needs to happen before this will work itself out. Frankly a lot needs to happen in the USA to remove incentives to use off shore resources. Id actually would like to see a higher tax rate for companies like Apple that invest domestic profits off shore.
In the end a country that doesn't manufacture anything is doomed for failure and a lot of social disorder.
