Trump's Tariffs Have Wiped Out Most Families' Tax Cut Gains

Article misses point on tariffs and has it backwards on relationship to tax cuts (which I am not sure the two are related, but let's go with it since author is trying to make some point here). Mexico aside, the dispute with China is about fairness of trade and ethical business practices, neither of which China has demonstrated. Tariffs are intended to reduce demand through higher cost products. Given the direction of the Chinese economy and stock market, it would be fair to say that our tariffs have caused pain which will hopefully lead to reforms. As to the effect on Americans, yes, many of the goods we buy are now more expensive. If you cannot now afford them then don't buy them. Or, as the Chinese government has done to convince their populace to not buy American, perhaps Americans should be persuaded to not buy Chinese products because of their unfair and unethical practices. Lastly, perhaps we can look at the relationship between tariffs and tax reform differently. Tariffs are meant to dissuade purchases. To the extent that Americans feel compelled to buy Chinese products, they have received tax breaks which largely offset the higher cost of those products. So, all in all, the tariffs seem to be hitting the Chinese where they are supposed to (and hopefully will bring them back to the negotiating table). And to the extent our pocketbooks are affected, its nice to know that our tax breaks help to soften that blow. I believe that is a more accurate and constructive perspective to be taking.