PrincipledAmerica.org Statement on Tariffs & the Everyday American

Our Position

At PrincipledAmerica.org, we believe in a Strong but Smart Tariff Strategy — one that protects American jobs and industries while avoiding unnecessary harm to working and middle-class families.We reject blanket tariffs that raise the price of nearly everything Americans buy and unpredictable high-yield tariffs that disrupt markets without a clear long-term plan.

Instead, our approach applies precision, transparency, and accountability to tariff policy — using it as a strategic tool against adversaries and bad actors, not as a blunt instrument against all trade.

Our Alternate Strategy: Strong but Smart Tariffs

(Guided by the Principled Power & Principled Leadership Frameworks)

Principled Power – Strategic Strength Abroad

• Target with Precision: Apply tariffs to specific goods and sectors tied to unfair practices — such as IP theft, forced technology transfers, currency manipulation, and predatory dumping.

• Calibrated Escalation: Start with moderate rates (5–15%), increasing only if the offending nation fails to address the issue within a defined review period.

• Reciprocity First: Match foreign tariffs on U.S. goods; raise only if necessary to restore fairness.

• Protect Allied Supply Chains: Maintain low tariffs on critical goods from allies to preserve trust and stability.

• Time-Bound Use: Tariffs have a stated purpose, measurable goals, and clear review timelines.

Principled Leadership – Responsibility at Home

• Shield Essentials: No tariffs on basic groceries, essential medicines, or common household goods.

• Transition Support: Temporary exemptions for critical manufacturing inputs until domestic or allied production can replace them.

• Transparent Justification: Publicly explain why a tariff exists, what it aims to achieve, and when it will be reviewed.

• Consumer Impact Safeguards: Regularly assess tariff effects to ensure Americans aren’t paying more without seeing results.

• Reinvest Revenue: Direct tariff funds into workforce retraining, manufacturing innovation, and infrastructure.

  
  

  Pros & Cons of Our Policy

  Pros

  • Protects American consumers from broad price increases.

  • Keeps pressure on adversarial nations without harming allies.

  • Ensures tariffs have clear objectives and measurable outcomes.

  • Directly reinvests tariff revenue into U.S. jobs and manufacturing.

    
    

    Cons

    • Requires ongoing monitoring and enforcement.

    • May be seen as “less aggressive” by those favoring maximum tariffs.

    • Some short-term costs in targeted sectors still possible.

    
    

    Bottom Line

    Our approach balances strength with responsibility.We will stand firm against nations and corporations that cheat the American worker — but we will not make the American family pay the price for political point-scoring.This is principled policy for a principled America: tough where we must be, fair where we can be, and always in the best interest of the people we serve.

    
    
    
    

Policy Comparison

Feature / Impact	PrincipledAmerica.org Policy	Current 10% Blanket Tariff	Current Targeted High-Yield Tariffs
Scope	Focused on specific unfair practices and sectors	All imports, regardless of source or fairness	Selected countries/sectors with high rates
Consumer Impact	Minimal on essentials; targeted price effects only	Across-the-board price increases	Sharp spikes in targeted goods
Predictability	High — clear goals, timelines, and review	High, but indiscriminate	Low — politically driven and unpredictable
Economic Leverage	Strong against bad actors; maintains alliance goodwill	Weak leverage — punishes all equally	Strong leverage, but risks retaliation escalation
Inflation Risk	Low to moderate	High	Moderate to high in targeted sectors
Alignment with Allies	Maintains trust and cooperation	Strains allies unnecessarily	Strains allies depending on scope