How Trump Gave Up His Leverage

Playbook: “In pausing the tariffs for 90 days, Trump effectively acknowledged that there was some degree of economic and political pain that was simply intolerable for him to bear.”

“That runs counter to the ‘madman theory’ of negotiations he’s eagerly employed. Knowing now that he isn’t prepared to actually blow up the American economy and global markets, if you’re another major country, why give in to his demands at the negotiating table? Hasn’t he ceded some leverage?”