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It has never been a secret that Donald Trump didn’t actually write his famous book, “The Art of the Deal.” It was composed by Tony Schwartz. What we can deduce now is that Trump also didn’t read it — or any other books on the topic. We can reach that conclusion based on the abundant evidence that Trump is terrible at making deals.

His threat to close the U.S.-Mexico border offers the latest example. The president had spent several days raising that prospect “if Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States.” But his threat succeeded mostly in terrifying Republicans. “Closing down the border would have a potentially catastrophic economic impact on our country,” warned Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

So on Thursday, Trump backed down while trying to disguise his surrender by saying he wouldn’t carry out his plan immediately. “We’re going to give them a one-year warning,” he said of the Mexicans, and if they don’t submit, he’ll impose tariffs or close the border.

But he’s been making this threat for several months already and so far has neither gotten his way nor kept his word. He’s negotiating with himself, and he’s losing.