Most of the time we are darkly ignorant of our real intentions. All we mostly want is pleasure.
None us all really want the other guy to win. Not if he isn't on our side !
But we will string a narrative to convince that we are the good guys and those are the bad guys.
Isn't that a lie ?

To SUCCESSFULLY lie to oneself ?

We could interpret that in such a way, that the lie brings us good fortune and wealth and esteem. That would mean that the lie was indeed successful.

But was it a lie ?

Let's say you say, "I am the greatest of all athletes " But your doubt says to you, "oh, come now, you are a little bit lazy now and again, you aren't the greatest ! The man down the street is greater than you!"

But, because we have told ourselves this "lie" over a period of days and weeks and months, one day we wake up and we ARE the greatest of athletes.

So now we have to say, that the lie has vanished like vapor. The words now stand true.

That could be an example of the successful lie.

A trade war is kind of oxymoronic.

If you look to the likes of China they are very much aware of this "trade war". They build ghost cities hundreds of miles wide, and only the rats are in occupation.

Trump is a businessman. Most politicians aren't. This is why Theresa May (in the UK) will lose her post , and very likely SHTF and a labour government will follow.

Trade is always positive. That is if you want to purchase something.