[lettergram]

Yes it is, there’s always been taxes. Free market typically refers to regulations, free commerce (means ability to buy and sell), etc. that doesn’t mean no taxes, particularly tariffs.

The US federal government was initially only able to make revenue from tariffs. Basically you control the borders, but inside the borders there are no control (ie free market). Once you deal between nations, you cannot have a perfectly free market, else your enemies will eat you. Which imo is what happened the last 50 years.

[Dracophoenix]

A tariff is a regulation. Tariffs are the interstate commercial equivalent of Pigovian taxes. When the government puts its thumb on the scale of what should or shouldn't be sold with an extra cost attached, that is not a free market.