Trump’s artlessness clear in so-called deals

wars with Europe, China, Canada and Mexico.

After slapping tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese imports, China has retaliated with tariffs on $34 billion of American exports. Trump is now threatening tariffs on nearly everything China exports to the United States, as well as a clampdown on Chinese investment here.

After Trump raised tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, they also retaliated. They promise further retaliation if Trump acts on his threat to place a 20 percent tariff on cars and car parts imported from Europe.

Are these Trump’s negotiating tactics? “Every country is calling every day, saying, ‘Let’s make a deal, let’s make a deal,’ ” he boasted earlier this month.

That’s doubtful. Trump’s actions have poisoned relations to such an extent that instead of joining the United States to, say, push China to open its markets, our trading partners — including China — are starting to join together to stop Trump from doing worse damage.

Meanwhile, talks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada are dead, partly because Trump’s bullying has generated so much animosity across our two neighbors’ borders.

Trump has no deal on Iran, either. No deal on Syria. No deal on the Qatar blockade. No deal on Israel and the Palestinians.

Trump will meet with Vladimir Putin on Monday —but with no apparent agenda.

Trump has no deal on climate change. He simply pulled out of the Paris climate accord.

“No deal” also describes Trump’s relations with the Republican-majority Congress.

He got no deal on replacing the Affordable Care Act, so Trump is quietly repealing it administratively.

One of the biggest cons from the biggest con man to occupy the Oval Office is that he’s a dealmaker.

He’s not. After a year and a half of this, it’s clear that all he really knows is how to bully friends, stage photo ops with enemies, and claim victory.