How Affordability Disrupted Trump Case for Tariffs: Supply Lines

It was bound to happen at some point but the trade wars have finally met the affordability wars.

With his move on Friday to exempt imports of bananas, beef, coffee and other agricultural commodities from his tariffs, US President Donald Trump acknowledged concerns among voters about the rising cost of living. And, implicitly, that his import taxes were contributing to higher prices after long claiming otherwise. Which wasn’t good politics given the rise of affordability as an issue for voters who handed opposition Democrats important victories in recent elections.

Speaking to reporters Sunday heading to Washington after a weekend at ...