For months I’ve been wondering about tariffs: Are they good? Bad? Do they make a cup of coffee cost more? Who pays them? Are they taxes?

Back in Reagan days almost all my Republican friends said, Yes, absolutely, they’re taxes.

But today we’re marching down a different road. Trump says absolutely not, tariffs aren’t taxes. They’re paid by other countries. Or by tycoons running foreign companies. And, today, most Republicans agree with Trump.

Not being an economic wizard I couldn’t figure out who’s right – then the answer fell out of a clear blue sky: Trump ended his tariffs on beef, coffee, teas, fruits and other foods – to lower prices in grocery stores.

That settled it. But, still, it’s all a bit messy. After saying one thing for months, turning on his heel, Trump about-faced.