The essential point is that trade wars are stupid, especially with a nation that is financing our debt. When our economy is booming of course we are going to buy lots of stuff from other nations. And when our economy is in a ditch, we can’t afford to buy stuff from anyone. So root for trade deficits.

But if Trump thinks he is going to inflict pain on China to make points with his base without inflicting more pain on all of us he is truly nuts.