[ProfessorLayton]

I don't disagree with you that it's unfair, but from the perspective of a country without an industry to lose, they have everything to gain from a race to the bottom.

How does a rich, car-exporting country convince a less rich and car-importing country to not buy that inexpensive car from China and instead buy a more expensive one? Tariffs can't address this issue.

[tonyedgecombe]

I don't think it matters. As long as the US has a strong base of car companies serving its own market. It needs this manufacturing capability to lean on during a large scale conflict.

Imagine how much better off Ukraine would be if it had had car factories it could have turned into tank factories.

[ProfessorLayton]

That's orthogonal to the issue I'm referencing, which is that legacy automakers sell their wares domestically and internationally. Even with tariffs, they'll still be squeezed out in markets which don't have a car industry to protect.