U.S. President Donald Trump is discovering that threats and bluster are not a strategy and that the realities of an interconnected world are more complex than he imagined. The latest learning curve is in trade, where conflicting objectives vex a president determined to balance U.S. trade accounts. Trump has delayed again the imposition of unilateral tariffs against some trade partners of the United States as his administration attempts to avoid a trade war and maintain a united front in the battle against China's predatory economic policies. Japan has been whipsawed by the conflicting U.S. objectives.
Convinced that the U.S. has been exploited by its trade partners and this is the source of its economic woes, Trump has demanded unilateral action to remedy its trade imbalances. His policy is based on a flawed understanding of economics and a desire to look strong — sanctions are something the president can do, a crucial factor for someone determined to be seen as decisive.
He thus decided two months ago to impose tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum, a move that was ostensibly based on national security considerations, although it is difficult if not impossible to understand the threat posed by imports from U.S. allies. The tariffs were not put in place immediately, however: The administration said that it would discuss with governments alternative means of addressing its concerns, holding out the prospect of voluntary restraints to achieve those aims.