The article argues for taxing consumption instead of production to fund the government, highlighting the benefits of tariffs as a consumption tax. It discusses how tariffs can raise revenue without burdening working-class Americans and create fiscal space for pro-growth tax policies.
Key Points
Consumption taxes are more efficient and less harmful to economic growth than income taxes
Tariffs can shift the tax burden towards discretionary consumption and away from working-class Americans
Tariffs can create fiscal space for pro-growth tax policies without increasing the deficit
Pros
Taxing consumption encourages saving and work
Consumption taxes are considered more efficient and equitable than income taxes
Tariffs can be designed to be progressive and raise significant revenue
Cons
Americans generally dislike value-added taxes (VATs)
Critics argue that tariffs can distort global trade and redirect resources inefficiently