The Trump administration has also just slapped tariffs on India (I actually agree with this one as its the revoking of India’s preferential trade status).
The point I raise is that the statements comming out with such regularity sound like a form of shakedown verbose of Gunship diplomacy which suits gangsters that both the Chinese and Indians experienced in the past under western colonialism that destoyed their native industries (buy our opium soy or else). The Iranians also know this too so don't bit and so does a host of other nations including their "allies" in the EU.
We all know how the UK died as an empire with a wimper. Trump seems to be planning the hastening of America's demise (or is it on purpose a 5d chess move?). In the end the consumer suffers and people will buy less US goods. If anything encourages further import substitution and alliences be it trade and more away for the US which means a weakening of the US position and tensions as you rightly point out.
