One hundred days into Donald Trump’s second presidency, his economic nationalism has produced an unexpected consequence. The man who campaigned on ‘America First’ and delivered sweeping tariffs within weeks of retaking office has become an unlikely champion of free trade – by forcing his opponents to defend it.

It would be difficult to imagine a more protectionist start to a presidency. Trump’s so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ started at 10 percent and escalated for individual countries based not on their own trade policies but on their trade surpluses with the United States – a bizarre economic proposition.

Yet something remarkable has emerged from the ensuing chaos.

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