The White House confirmed tariffs will be implemented today: 25% on Canada, 25% on Mexico, 10% on China.
Did you know that “tariff” comes from Arabic from the word تعرفة (ta‘rifa), which means a “list of prices”?
Ibn Khaldun, in his Muqaddimah, discusses taxation and economic policies, using terms like المكوس (al-mukūs), which refers to tolls, excise duties, or customs levies, often imposed unjustly by rulers. He criticized excessive taxation, including trade restrictions, for their negative economic effects.
Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) warned that heavy taxation (which could include tariffs on goods) leads to a decline in commerce, impoverishing both the state and its citizens. He believed that low, fair taxes encourage prosperity and that rulers should avoid burdening their economies with excessive levies.
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