What are the net costs of tariffs and quotas?

Studies show that the costs of tariffs and quotas to consumers substantially exceed the gains to producers and government. Rent-seeking efforts of industries seeking protectionist measures divert resources away from more socially desirable purposes, so these costs are imposed on society as well. The gains that U.S. trade barriers create for protected industries and their workers come at the expense of much greater losses for the entire economy. The result is economic inefficiency, reduced consumption, and lower standards of living.