First, he raises tariffs. Then he drops them. He halts grants. Then a judge reinstates them. He fires federal workers and then they get rehired. 

For years, limiting the administrative state—the rabbit warren of bureaucratic offices and officials who regulate virtually every aspect of American life—has been a central pillar of conservative thought.

For all the reporting and commentary, we’ve seen over the last week about how President Trump caved, or how the Chinese are in a really strong position because they have prepared for this trade war, I think Bradsher offers a helpful corrective.