WBUR Podcasts, Boston.

Hey, Jackpotters, a quick note that we are recording this around 1 o'clock on Wednesday. Why you need to know that is about to be very clear.

I'm On Point Senior Editor Dory Shimer filling in for Megna Chuck Robardi.

This is the Jack Pod, where On Point News analyst, Jack Veedy, helps us connect history, literature, and politics in a way that brings his unique clarity to the world we live in now.

Hi, Jack.

Hello, Dory.

It is episode 74.

What's the headline this week?

The demons.

Hmm.

What kind of demons are we talking about?

Trade demons.

On a recent podcast, Ted Cruz alluded darkly to Trump's tariff war with the

world. Cruz said, there are angels and demons on Trump's shoulders. Who does he listen to?

Well, of course, first and last, Trump listens to Trump. Trump's inner

trade demon has been remarkably, that imp has been remarkably consistent on tariffs for going on

40 years. In 1987, Trump spent $100,000 to purchase full-page ads in the New York

Times, The Washington Post, and the Boston Globe warning, quote, that for decades, Japan and

others have been taking advantage of the United States in trade.

And he especially resented, although he didn't put this in the ad,

that the Japanese were buying buildings in Manhattan

and therefore giving him competition in his real estate career.

...