>>512639877
Competition keeps prices low. Tariffs decrease competition, sometimes allowing companies to raise prices. Not all tariffs will get passed down to consumers, it depends on the price sensitivity and elasticity but there are certain imported products that people need. They can't find alternatives and don't want to live without them. In those cases, companies can raise prices and blame it on tariffs without damaging their brand loyalty, risk government intervention, or lose market share due to competition. Only the consumer gets fucked in that case and are effectively taxed by the government.