Despite his bluster in both conversations on the building of the border wall that Mexico is going to pay for and the agreement to take a limited number of refugees from Australia, it’s stunning how quickly the master of the “Art of the Deal” backs off his opening positions and implicitly concedes that they were just ploys.

After the Mexican President adamantly but courteously opines that “Mexico cannot pay for that wall,” Trump responds “but you cannot say that to the press,” all but admitting that he knows Mexico won’t pay for the wall. He is far more concerned — even obsessed — that the Mexican President not undermine his political position at home.

And by the end of his very tough talk with [Australian Prime Minister Malcolm] Turnbull, who keeps pressing Trump on Obama’s commitment to take the 1,250 refugees who had tried to enter Australia by boat, Trump succumbs, arguing to save face that it’s a “disgusting deal” but he’d honor “my predecessor’s deal.”