ECONOMY/TARIFFS/TRADE WAR/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump is likely to get one of the best headlines of his presidency on Friday [7-27-18] with a highly tweetable report expected to show the U.S. economy grew at its fastest rate in years in the second quarter. But the big number risks becoming fool’s gold. Economists warn that Trump’s trade war sped up U.S. exports in the second quarter as China and other countries rushed to snap up American soybeans and other products ahead of impending tariffs, lifting growth in ways likely to be reversed in the coming months. And as Trump continues to argue that the strong economy and stock market offer him leeway to press his aggressive approach, his trade battles could wind up slowing an economy that is among the GOP’s strongest selling points to voters…Wall Street’s concern over potential trade wars was on display Wednesday [7-25-18] as shares spiked on initial reports of a deal between the U.S. and the E.U. to avoid Trump’s threatened 20 percent tariffs on all imported automobiles and auto parts.”
–Ben White, “Trump’s trade war boosts the economy — before it bites,” Politico, July 26, 2018 4:42 pm