Aluminum Tariffs Fixed Nothing, Smelters Still Dying
A decade of stacked aluminum tariffs, up to 50% blanket rates, and the US still imports 60% of its aluminum consumption. Domestic smelters kept closing anyway.
Tariffs didn't rebuild industrial capacity. They taxed American manufacturers, raised input costs, and handed the political W to whoever imposed them. The industry hollowed out regardless.
Protectionism as performance art.
Source
x.com