The Financial Post reports in its Saturday, Oct. 25, edition that the United States' latest tariffs are presented as a means to protect jobs and industries, but a leading Canadian economist says they also serve an important function: generating revenue. The Post's Andrew Rankin writes that Bank of Canada former deputy governor Paul Beaudry noted that Washington's tariff strategy aims to reassure Americans about their jobs and raise money for tax cuts. Mr. Beaudry said: "Yes, the tariffs are about generating revenue. It's kind of like a dual strategy -- we'll get it on one side or the other. If we don't divert much trade, we get all this revenue. If we divert a lot of trade, we get fewer imports, but maybe more jobs. That's the kind of mix they have in mind." He said tariffs are effectively a tax on imports. Mr. Beaudry added: "In budget negotiations in the U.S., it's really hard to find anywhere you can tax. If you discuss any other tax, you'd be dead in the water right away. This is one where they don't present it as a tax, but it is a tax on imports. And it's one of the few that can generate revenue while still getting support from their base." Mr. Beaudry expects some tariffs to eventually ease.