Tariffs do increase costs. However, if China is actually dumping heavily subsidized steel on the market (supposedly via other countries) and driving prices belo

Tariffs do increase costs. However, if China is actually dumping heavily subsidized steel on the market (supposedly via other countries) and driving prices below cost, and if this puts our steel mills at risk of closing (which seemingly it does), not imposing a tariff risks a supply shortage in the future when China cuts heavy subsidies and incentives. Steel mills take a very long time to build and scale to operation, and this would be devastating, more so than slightly increased prices now. It can be argued that something similar is happening with oil, in which OPEC countries have massively increased their output, many at a loss, to prevent the U.S. shale oil industry from developing into a contender. The government has turned a blind eye to this for 2 reasons, I think 1) The supply glut has devastated the Russian economy and currency, and the enemy of my enemy etc. -- this hearkens back to Obama-era foreign policy of sanctions during the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, and cozying up to/improving our "alliance" with Saudi Arabia. 2) Imposing an oil tariff/intentionally raising oil prices in any way is a huge political no-no as the populace refuses to pay more at the pump. This is despite prices more than double the current level (considering inflation) being tolerated at the pump not long ago at all.