Trump’s tariffs could blot out positive economic story

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just last week, solid economic numbers appeared to be helping President Donald Trump’s reelection prospects.
The United States had achieved its longest economic expansion. Stock prices were climbing. Job gains were steady. Consumers had scaled up spending. Growth was sturdy enough to presage a second term for a conventional president, according to election forecasts based on the economy.
But Trump was not content to play it safe.
He chose to magnify the trade war wi