If this were a goal, the USA would not want to push other countries into China's sphere of influence. The simpler explanation is that non-tariff taxes require congress and are not fully under control of the executive branch. This allows the executive branch to seize the power of the purse.
Tariff taxes also require congress. It’s a constitutionally enumerated power of Congress specifically to levy import duties.
Well, I mean, since we threw out the opposition in Congress?
I'm thinking we'd better not rely on Congress to put a stop to anything. A simple veto removes that problem. No way what's left of the opposition in Congress comes up with the votes to override a veto.