Just as sure as shooting, every time politicians get involved in regulating for the purpose of enriching a special interest group, they will do their best to justify it by way of a public interest argument. The U.S.-China trade negotiations are shaping up to be “Bootleggers and Baptists” one more time.

Remember the story? Both bootleggers and old-school Southern Baptists traditionally like state laws that shut down liquor stores on Sunday — for entirely different reasons. Baptists are known for a historic predisposition against Sunday drinking. Bootleggers corner the market on the day of rest.