President Trump’s tariff blasts continue. The White House released its latest list on July 31 and it is clear that no nation is safe — not allies, enemies, neighbors or distant lands. No menacing power escapes the vigilance of the president’s team, ever alert to those “ripping off” the United States of America.

Case in point: Moldova.

Dominating both sides of the Dniester River — well, one side actually — this Eastern European colossus of 2.3 million people (about the size of Houston) could inflict mortal damage on the American economy.

In 2024 alone, the U.S. bought nearly $136 million (with an “m”) worth of goods from the Moldovans, whereas they bought only $51 million from us. With the U.S. economy valued at more than $30 trillion (with a “T”) we could probably only bear such abuse for ... well, forever.

In a July 9 letter to Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Trump made clear that America will not be bullied by Moldova any longer. He imposed a tariff of 25 percent on every bottle of wine or fruit juice the Moldovans force us to buy. Calling the deficit with Moldova a “major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!” the president warned of even higher tariffs if Moldova retaliates or tries to send goods into the U.S. through transshipment.

The letter accuses Moldova of taking advantage of us for “many years.”

Tariff rates are one of Trump’s favorite weapons, employed under the dubious premise that the U.S. faces a trade deficit “emergency.” The legality of such action aside — the Supreme Court has yet to rule — the president uses this weapon for a variety of non-economic goals. He has threatened Canada for indicating it might recognize a Palestinian........

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