

I don’t think Trump’s plan had anything at all to do with helping America. The tariffs are about wielding power, making threats, creating fear and division, etc.
Trump can pull the tariffs away at a time of his choosing to curry good-favour when he needs it. And since he has that control, and knows the broad effect on stock-prices, he can also use it as a self-enrichment exercise too.
So intimate and close, you can still smell his presence.