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Trump Loathes VATs. Do They Really Put US Exporters at a Disadvantage?

Shipping containers at the Port of Tacoma in Washington.Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg
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In justifying new tariffs customized to punish US trading partners for practices he sees as putting US manufacturers at a disadvantage, President Donald Trump has focused particular ire on value-added taxes. VATs are used by most countries but not by the US.