The markets might be rattled, but if the U.S. doesn’t hold firm in its showdown with China over tariffs, things will only get worse.

We’ve got to suck it up. Indeed, we must be bold here. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tariffs escalation reflects his bet that he can spike U.S. domestic fears over the economy, and a corresponding popular pressure on Trump to back down. To the fortune of our national interest and global order, Trump is unlikely to budge.