Trump's tariff war cry

US President signals escalating trade wars

- 

Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress since he won his second term as United States President barely differed in tone and content from his campaign rallies or inaugural address at the same venue six weeks ago. He took the podium against the background of a tanking stock market owing to the trade wars he has unleashed and the second-lowest job approval rating of 45 per cent among Presidents at this point in their term, according to Gallup. The lowest rating was scored by Mr Trump himself at 40 per cent in 2017. Nevertheless, he delivered a triumphal speech that was long—literally, at more than 90 minutes, the longest such address in modern American history—on rhetoric and demagoguery and short on accuracy. From the thickets of alternative facts, Maga (Make America Great Again) tropes, inflated claims, and theatrical asides involving invitees in the gallery, two signals emerged from Mr Trump's address.