Donald Trump lies all the time, but rarely to deceive. Typically, it is for the purpose of remaining unpredictable. Unpredictability brings with it several advantages: it gives him more freedom of action; makes him the center of attention; and keeps his adversaries guessing about his ultimate objectives. In the end, it’s a dominance thing.
The problem is that real businessmen, as opposed to large-scale grifters, crave stability and predictability. Business by and large blew off Trump’s eccentricities until now because they assumed that he would ultimately behave in a manner consistent with their interests; after all, he was one of them, wasn’t he? On trade issues, however, they are no longer sure that is the case. Hence, the decline in investment and all of the speculation about a recession, which would put his pathetic presidency to an end.
Ironic, but fair, don’t you think?