Tariffs: Boon or Boogieman?

American flag overlaying a shipping port and stock market chart, symbolizing the intersection of U.S. trade policies, tariffs, and economic impacts.

Tariffs are controversial. Some Wall Street analysts worry that tariffs could put a brake on global growth and cause inflation. Others believe that tariffs could be a valuable tool for achieving economic and political objectives, which include balancing trade, protecting certain key industries, and national security.