From the trade war with China to escalating tensions over the Mueller report, it’s been a busy week in American politics. Here are some of the biggest stories you might have missed (and some links if you’d like to read further).

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Trade talks with China: A deal fizzles, a war resumes.

Trade talks between China and the United States ended without a deal on Friday, hours after President Trump raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of the country’s imports, a signal that he is prepared for a prolonged fight.

At a rally this week, Mr. Trump demonstrated how election-year politics have crept into his trade policy by framing his recent moves as evidence that he is tougher on China than any of his potential challengers.

The risk of a bigger trade war with China puts the United States economy in danger of experiencing a meaningful downturn and potentially a recession. But the stock market does not appear to be worried.