Self-Sufficiency

One of Trump's goals with tariffs is self-sufficiency.   Strategic goods such as ships, weapon systems,  medicine, metals, electronics.  You will notice food is not on the list.  Yes, we import pineapples and a lot of other non-essential foods.  If Americans had to eat only U S. made foods,  it would likely be only a problem for foodies who are not likely big Trump supporters.

What happens when China increases tariffs on American goods?  Something really important goes up in price: food.  Where does China gets its food?  World Bank shows that we are China's second largest source of food.  I doubt that they cannot find food to buy elsewhere,  much like we can doubtless find other sources for the largely non-stratrgic goods we import from China.  But food shortages have a history of causing sometimes chaotic conditions for the Chinese government as it does for most.