[_dczq]

Taken the lead on what? What is their plan? Here is the Sec. of Agriculture Sonny Perdue talking about soybean tariffs [1] yesterday.

Q: You said the president has a plan. Even in broad strokes, what is that plan?

A: That’s in the president’s mind and in his negotiating strategy. He is a different type of negotiator. I don’t think any foreign country has ever gone up against a president like President Trump before. That’s his style. Frankly, it’s been pretty effective so far in other areas. I think he and President Xi (Jinping) in China have a great relationship. I think it will be dealt with on a personal basis. The goal is, obviously, to get China to change its ways so we can resume trade between our countries. The president, however, does not intend to tolerate a $350 billion to $400 billion trade deficit going forward.

[1] http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sonny-perdue-q...

[52-6F-62]

That's a terribly flagrant non-answer. If they could seriously form a coherent and rational explanation for what they're doing, people just might understand better. As it stands, everyone just projects their current thinking onto the circumstances to find some explanation all because they won't answer a simple question.

The reasons why are what I think you've pointed out— there really isn't much of a plan on their part. It's just reactionary and rabble-rousing (with a hefty price tag for those who get hit by the outcomes).