Even the US automakers use foreign parts,
US automakers would see dramatic price increases.. which means selling even less abroad. An even wider trade deficit. You can not deny that tariffs hurt Americans with inflation.
The entire "ripping us off" argument is total dribble. The trade deficit is high, because the US government borrows money from the Chinese (via Treasury bonds), to finance spending. If you buy stuff, you get stuff. That's not "ripping you off", you're borrowing and consuming.
If you don't believe me, hear it from both left and right podcasts.
Right:
Podcast: Judge Napalianto
Guest: Prof. Jeffery Sachs, The Disaster of Tariffs
https://player.fm/series/judging-freedom/prof-jeffery-sachs-the-disaster-of-tariffs
Left:
Podcast: Due Dissidence
Episode: Are You Not Liberated?
