[mk89]

To allow free trade of certain goods which your country needs more.

This is why tariffs are much more flexible, because they allow you to, let's say, trade oil at a cheaper price, while pasta (widely produced in europe) at a higher price.

[wqaatwt]

So what you are suggesting is a reverse tariff? Punish local producers for manufacturing goods that we’d rather import.

Well.. that’s an idea.. I suppose..

[cwillu]

Then you would just not tax those goods. We already do this with basic foodstuffs; this has nothing to do with tariffs.

[Zanfa]

VAT doesn't affect free trade in any way though. You're mixing up unrelated concepts.

[the_gipsy]

VAT is never universal, different products already get different rates.