I totally agree. It's like the owner of a butcher shop rising to challenge the don of the mafia. And he gets close. He can't then say "sorry boss" and go back to the butcher shop. He could go visit the butcher shop, but he's sleeping with the fishes and he'll be an example to anyone else who wants to take out the boss.

If Trump was so open about China and the currency manipulation. So open about the china virus. So open about infiltration and leakers and all sorts of seeming winks to knowing more than what is known. Which makes sense, he's POTUS, but still. He seemed to be clearly signaling some kind of plan that is not the Patriot party. I agree, it would be stupid if he thought this was viable, and i think you're right. It's likely a head fake to get people to let their guard down.

Anyway, just my two cents. You don't go up against the boss to come close. It's win or lose. And if you lose, it carries consequences.