IMO I think Trump is threatening tariffs to get better trade deals. A good negotiator knows that you never take any option off of the table when it comes to making a deal.
@dfwgator Politicians think about scoring political points with donors and voters,and don't really care about the effect on the country. Businessmen want to win and profit. They ALWAYS ask for more than they want,and then reluctantly agree to negotiate it down to only a little more than they would have settled for. Politicians will never demand the sun,the moon,and the stars because all they are looking for is a little positive press. Businessmen are looking for profits. They get them,or they don't agree to the deal.
WTH is this so hard for people to figure out? It's not like it's some sort of secret.