That is a very good reason for trade barriers, much better than the trade deficit. And the barriers could be introduced in a far less disruptive manner, that allows companies to plan long-term. So I guess whoever stresses the US trade deficit, does not really care about national security, otherwise they would say so directly.
It’s a matter of national security. Look what happened during Covid when we couldn’t produce basic medical necessities at scale.
If you go to war, do you think your adversaries are going to supply you with tanks and medicine?