[xoxoxoBruce]

If someone smooth talks you into making a bad business decision, or holds a gun to your head forcing you to make that same bad decision, does it really make a difference? Intellectually, philosophically yes but economically no.

You aren't controlled directly but controlling the economy they indirectly do control all businesses that depends on customers. Unless you're selling epipens or insulin and your customers don't have much choice, the economy causes customers to feel whether they can spring for optional things or not.

I get the impression that trump is trying to exert more control over the economy regardless of collateral damage to anyone else.