Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. They can protect particular industries, encourage domestic production or provide leverage in negotiations, but they also raise costs for importers and can affect consumers.
The economic effect depends on how businesses respond. Some absorb the cost, some raise prices, and some switch suppliers. Trading partners may also retaliate against exports.
Trade policy is therefore a distributional choice. Protection can benefit workers and firms in one sector while imposing costs elsewhere. A serious evaluation should identify both the visible beneficiaries and the less visible costs.