Should governments use tariffs as a tool to redistribute wealth to working-class citizens?

Context

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods designed to protect domestic industries and workers from foreign competition. Proponents argue they can shield working-class jobs and redistribute wealth from corporations to workers, while critics contend they raise consumer prices, invite retaliation, and often benefit large corporations more than ordinary citizens. The debate has intensified as governments worldwide grapple with inequality and deindustrialization, making tariff policy a central question in economic strategy.