Others pointed out that the tariff rate they are pointing to is actually just calculated based on trade imbalance. So the logic is that they have a number they want to get to and are throwing around terms that their constituents don't understand to make it sound reasonable

VAT is not a tariff, no one reasonable thinks it's a tariff but the US doesn't use the term VAT so enough people won't second guess it if trump says it's an tax on american goods