Tariffs raise prices, spark conflicts, and make everyone poorer

Frida Ghitis : In a democratic society, the population must endure the brunt of ludicrous ideas imposed by elected officials.

Ghitis says tariffs are taxes consumers in our country pay for imported goods; they raise prices, reduce our access to foreign goods and spark reciprocal tariffs that then punish our country's farmers and manufacturers.

She says it's hard to understand the idiocy of picking a fight with Canada , except in the context of an administration that likes to punch down. Any infinitesimal issues between our countries can easily be handled through diplomacy, Ghitis writes.