A rare tariff I agree with

Newshub reports:

New Zealand is slapping Russian goods with a 35 percent import tax over alleged war “atrocities” committed in Ukraine. 

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor announced on Wednesday that the 35 percent tariffs will apply to all imports from Russia.

I support this.

I’m all for free trade with as many countries as possible. Tariffs tend to damage both the country that imposes them and that has them imposed on them.

But when a country is committing war crimes, then it is right to use tariffs as a tool to punish them for their behaviour. Free trade is great with friends, and good even with countries we disagree on a lot with, but isn’t appropriate for states that act as enemies.