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What to make of US Trade policy?

If Donald Trump has a trade policy, and there is a school of thought that trade policy occurs every day between 11 and noon.  It is similar to what Americans did during the cold war, but instead of promissing security pacts, they restrict or open the American goods market.

Credible stories emerged that at lunch time on April 2nd the list and size of tariffs had not been created yet.  Which explained why places with zero human population saw tariffs.  On August 1st the "extension" for all countries to negotiate ended" and additional tariffs were announced on the imports of certain goods from Canada and Switzerland 35% and 40% respectively.

The "trade ageements" that were struck with Europe and Japan are confusing,  it seems that things were agreed to which were outside the scope of what either party could deliver:  Energy to Europe, and investment onto the US.   Americaès energy export infrastucture is operating at capacity, the new energy purchase from Europe would require doubling the infrastructure.   Governments cannot direct how companies invest in foreign countries.  Something similar in Japan, not trading agreements, road maps, place holders. 

The tariffs allow Trump to "dictate" the foreign policies of other countries, anyway that's possibly how Trump sees his tariffs strategy, a mix of new tax revenues on consumption, and the ability to screw with China.  

My gut feeling is that Trump's trade policy is driven by his desire to be in the news every day.   Whatever tickles is fancy about foreign actors, tariffs are the way to go.  I think the world is starting to understand Trump, and is playing the waiting game to see where he goes next



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