Title:
Tariffs as an Economic Strategy: A Critical Evaluation of the Recent Us Approach

Authors:
Natália Teixeira, Portugal

Abstract:

In the context of global economic integration, tariff policies are commonly regarded as relics of the protectionist past, particularly inadequate for advanced economies. Nevertheless, the recent adoption of broad tariff measures by the United States under the Trump administration reignited debates about the strategic use of tariffs in open markets. This opinion article critically examines the economic and geopolitical implications of tariff imposition in a mature economy. Drawing on empirical studies and trade policy analyses, the paper identifies exceptional contexts where tariffs may be justified (such as national security and environmental regulation) highlighting the inefficiencies and unintended consequences arising from unilateral and poorly coordinated protectionist strategies. The findings suggest that open economies should prioritize innovation, multilateral cooperation, and institutional trade frameworks over reactive tariff-based approaches.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2025.9517