Protective tariffs might reduce both the imports and the exports of the nation that levies tariffs because other countries may follow with their own export tariffs. protective tariffs can be designed to either reduce imports or exports. other countries may follow with their own import tariffs. a. exports and imports must be equal. b. when foreign firms "dump" their products onto the u. s. market, they give their product away and bankrupt american firms. buy up all of that particular product and lower the price. buy up all of that particular product and raise the price. sell their product below cost and provide bargains to american consumers. c. import competition can lead to job gains worldwide. job losses worldwide. quality improvements and cost reductions by american firms. fewer high-quality products.