Trade and taxes

[Greenrookie]

Sorry to ask noob an

Why is GST increase to cover imported goods and increased tax on tabacoo and alcohol never a problem but when US do it over steel, it is trade war?

[nsengkia]

GST is applied across the board i.e. it is levied on both imports as well as locally manufactured goods.  The US is planning to impose tariffs which is applied only on imported goods (say steel) and not on locally manufactured goods (steel).

[soros]

I pay 7% sales tax on the hotel room rate when I visit Singapore and I heard the rate will soon increase to 9% so I will be charged "Room Rate + 10% service +9% tax " and the tax is paid to Singapore Government Tax Office. But even restaurants and cafes in the shopping malls and supermarkets have to charge the 7% sales tax so local residents cannot escape the tax net.