Five Lessons From Trump’s Tariff Misadventure: Ernie Tedeschi

In the classic Mel Brooks Western farce Blazing Saddles, Cleavon Little’s character faces a mob of townspeople angry at his appointment as sheriff of Rock Ridge. Thinking fast with a hysterical display of split personality, Little’s character - Sheriff Bart - puts a gun to his head and holds himself “hostage” until the befuddled townsfolk disarm, allowing him to slip away.

For two weeks, President Donald Trump held the economic equivalent of holding himself “hostage” by threatening 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% tariffs on China. And then suddenly, most were gone in a blaze. The White House ...