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John Adams, unquestionably the most curmudgeonly if honest of America’s Founders, in 1790 described our new nation as a “commercial republic.” It’s thus unfortunate so many Americans today fail to grasp not only the stiff economic consequences of any trade war built on dueling tariffs but the folly of employing tariffs to regularly address policy disputes with our allies. This newspaper agrees with the president’s sentiments on China’s abusing free-trade principles, even if we have deep reservations about an escalating trade war to resolve this dispute. But to implement steadily mounting tariffs that punish Mexico (and, via economic fallout, Texas) over immigration is a bridge too far. We urge Texas Republican lawmakers to show spine and fight the president’s promised tariffs, set to kick in Monday.

If nothing else, it’s pretty rich blaming Mexico for failing to sufficiently fortify its southern border to block refugees fleeing oppression and violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. After all, the United States has been unable to fortify its southern border. This newspaper endorsed the president’s 2018 immigration plan, including billions for border wall construction, only to watch the president then abandon his own proposal. Reports indicate senior advisor Stephen Miller urged President Trump to use the issue instead in the 2020 re-election campaign.