Bearitto said:
Opposition to tariffs at all costs is like being a pacifist who opposes violence for any reason. Murdering innocent people is wrong, but killing in war, self defense or the defense of others is completely justified and good. Tariffs to protect cronies is wrong. Tariffs to protect IP or essential industries can be useful; particularly if short term.
Define "short term".
To me we are past short term: we are paying the import tax (and thereby reducing our purchasing power), our businesses have lost market share, GDP will take a small hit, and we are paying billions for bailout of some of those businesses. And we have a president who still thinks tariffs are a revenue source streaming into the country (Tweet from 2/12/20: "PAID FOR OUT OF THE MASSIVE TARIFF MONEY COMING INTO THE USA!").
If it were truly short term businesses could plan around tariffs. Going on 2+ years, with adjustments and retaliatory tariffs, takes the certainty out of impacted markets. The market likes certainty.
As to IP issues, remember that companies that trade with China are fully aware of what they are getting into. Most of them have made a business decision to accept the joint venture partner (with access to IP) or the outright transfer, just to get access to the Chinese market. If it works they stay, if it doesn't they leave.
I just don't think the state needs to get involved in market decisions. The Chinese state will, but capitalists have always dealt with state interference and still prized their freedom from such control by their own state.