The Atlantic

Trump’s Obsession With Joe Biden Takes a New Turn

The president plans to use his trade war with China to attack the Democratic front-runner.
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

When trade talks between the United States and China collapsed this week, Donald Trump’s campaign advisers saw political opportunity in the rubble. Specifically, they saw their next line of attack against the current Democratic front-runner, Joe Biden.

“The reason for the China pullback & attempted renegotiation of the Trade Deal is the sincere HOPE that they will be able to ‘negotiate’ with Joe Biden or one of the very weak Democrats, and thereby continue to ripoff the United States (($500 Billion a year)) for years to come …” Trump tweeted on Wednesday morning. “Guess what, that’s not going to happen!”

On Sunday, Trump sent global markets churning when he pledged via Twitter to impose a

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