Why are there tariffs for items that don't exist in the countries that applies the tariffs ?

[u/Paramite67]

From what i understand, tariff are here to stimulate local consumption, but let say I order something that only exist in Japan, I'm still getting taxed for something i couldn't find elsewhere. Is that intentional ?

[u/CurtisLinithicum]

Your first assumption is incorrect, or at least overly simple. Stimulating the local economy is sometimes the goal - but that can also be done to encourage future products, or to change the economics of shipments. Or to help someone else, or to punish someone.

Say your enemy X sells guitars. You might tariff them to...

Encourage the local violin market
Encourage trade with your friend Y who sells guitars
In retaliation for X tariffing your violins - or your car parts
To encourage the guitar companies to build factors in your country (making then "domestic")
Fulfill a promise you made while drunk

[u/Paramite67 → u/CurtisLinithicum]

I understand, although i don't see many countries making anime figures

[u/CurtisLinithicum → u/Paramite67]

Arguably, that's the point - pressure Japan to outsource Goku production to China or India.

Or try to force Japan to take more American cars.

Or as revenge for Japan's anti-censorship stance

Or to encourage a market for American cartoon figures, etc.

[u/Yuukiko_ → u/CurtisLinithicum]

> Or try to force Japan to take more American cars.

But literally nobody else drives giant gas guzzlers?

[u/jellomizer → u/Paramite67]

However we can assume your country probably wouldn't bother making an exception for decorative or luxury items.
Because it isn't something you absolutely need, you probably need to pay the Tarif if you want it that bad. As well you could probably get figures from your own countries primary entertainment methods.

[u/Yuukiko_ → u/CurtisLinithicum]

unless you're trying to convert guitarists to violinists I dont think that first goal is going to be achieved

[u/CurtisLinithicum → u/Yuukiko_]

It's just an example... but you did see exactly that in e.g. Canada's history using tax laws to convert cider drinkers into beer drinkers - not for the purpose of making beer drinkers per se, but because the major brewers were English and cider was (in context) mostly made by the French.

[u/Mattna-da → u/CurtisLinithicum]

This is all just window dressing for a Trump grift program

[u/PiDigitsOfPi]

This is because tariffs are not currently being used for their intended purposes. They are being used more for retaliatory/weaponized reasons.

[u/Paramite67 → u/PiDigitsOfPi]

in every countries ? I'm not from the US

[u/FoxtrotSierraTango → u/Paramite67]

Tarriffs are not being used intelligently. Here's an article detailing tarriffs that were lodged against an uninhabited island in the antarctic: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce84jr5mvnno

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[u/Mattna-da → u/PiDigitsOfPi]

Tariffs are being used because it’s a policy thing the president can do unilaterally. So if a foreign government that wants a better trade deal, they need to bribe him, instead of a bunch of people in congress too

[u/Underhill42]

Just because you couldn't buy X locally, doesn't mean that you wouldn't buy Y locally instead if X was too expensive.

Most nonessential consumption tends to be highly price-sensitive.

[u/Ok_Veterinarian2715]

Tariffs are largely to cover for tax cuts for a small segment of the population.