Everyone knows how tariffs work, except for the anti-Trump crowd who think they somehow found some big gotcha they can throw at people who voted for him, mostly because they have no idea how, why and when tariffs are used.
Yes, tariffs are charged on the companies who import the goods. Which then means the imported goods must be sold at a higher price to the end consumer. The part the gotcha crowd fails to understand is these products become less appealing than other competitors.
And other than blocking trade altogether, it's the sole tool that a government can use against an external player enters the market with government-subsidized products. Which is the case with Chinese cars.
We're taxing chinese EVs like hell in Europe because the BYD are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government as an attempt to eradicate European car makers. And if the US doesn't do the same, all American car makers will be following suit.
No one thinks tariffs are charged at chinese exporters, despite the likes of David Pakman assuming that's what most people believe.