TMTPOST -- Billionaire investor Ray Dalio believes tariffs serve a purpose beyond generating tax revenue—they can also help nations strengthen their economies in preparation for major conflicts or war. As the Trump administration announced new reciprocal tariffs on China, the European Union, and other regions on Wednesday, Dalio shared his perspective in a LinkedIn post. He described import taxes as "necessary in times of an international great power conflict." Dalio, founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, explained that tariffs "can reduce both current account and capital account imbalances," meaning they help decrease reliance on foreign production and capital—key factors in times of geopolitical tension or war. While he acknowledged that tariffs make local companies less efficient by disrupting global supply chains, he argued that they improve economic resilience, ensuring businesses can survive as long as domestic consumers continue purchasing their goods.