As a strong proponent of free markets, I am in principle opposed to tariffs.

I qualify that by stating that I only do so under free market conditions, conditions which we are most certainly not operating under on the world stage today.

Under such circumstances, tariffs if deftly applied or threatened, can be an effective means of levelling the playing field.

I would also not oppose tariffs if they were to replace all federal taxes and make the intrusive IRS unnecessary.