Per Wikipedia [1] the successful Thai auto industry is a perfect example of using protective tarrifs to develop one's economy. They slapped huge tarrifs on imports, then shifted to taxing fully-assembled imports to grow their parts manufacturing, then gradually eased restrictions after they'd been able to develop a superior domestic parts manufacturing industry.

Protective taxes. Domestic growth. Expertise. Drop taxes and start telling everyone else how great free trade is.

It's a pretty winning playbook.

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_industry_in_Thail...