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Just like it’s applied to domestically manufactured goods as well …

The fact is the tax does not discriminate based on origin of the goods. It’s a tax on consumption.

So from the US perspective it matters to the degree that using a false premise to impose import tariffs might harm US interests.

From the US perspective, US is not discriminated against when it has exactly the same rules applied to them as anyone else. So, yes, it matters from the US perspective.

It may not matter for the lies US spreads and sells, but that is different thing then perspective.

I can understand that phrasing - it sounds like they’re trying to impose the American way on sovereign nations. I think they may be surprised that they get nowhere on this.

What you're ignoring is that the VAT is not just applied to imports. It's applied to all consumption, it doesn't matter whether the good was imported, produced locally, or a mix.

And I also pay general sales tax (GST) and provincial sales tax (PST) on everything imported from the US, or domestically made. Are you dense?