LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Tariffs up competitiveness

OPINION:

Andrew P. Napolitano’s comment in “Once upon a time in America” (Web, May 15) about President Trump’s “destructive ignorance of Economics 101” caught my attention. Yes, as the judge says, American consumers reimburse a Chinese seller for each dollar the seller pays in tariffs to the U.S. Treasury. However, that is not necessarily the end of the story (maybe that’s covered in Economics 102). As the cost of Chinese goods rises, the cost of American goods becomes more competitive. As that happens the demand for those goods increases, upping the need for materials and employees in the United States, thereby in general benefitting the U.S. economy. I don’t understand why that is destructive.

DANIEL P. MCKIM

Springfield, Va.