Should tariffs on imported goods be used as a primary economic policy tool?

Context

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods designed to protect domestic industries, raise government revenue, or influence trade negotiations. Economists debate their effectiveness: supporters argue they shield local jobs and industries from foreign competition, while critics contend they raise consumer prices, invite retaliation, and distort markets. The question of whether tariffs should be a primary economic policy tool—rather than one tool among many—hinges on competing views about free trade, national competitiveness, and the role of government in shaping economic outcomes.