Even though a federal trade court has blocked President Trump’s import tariffs, he defends his use of tariffs as he carries out his trade policy. The president rejects the suggestion that he’s “chickening out” with his on again-off again pattern of tariffs.By setting high tariff rates and then pulling them back, the president has rattled businesses and investors. But he says the approach has worked with the European Union. After imposing that 50 percent tariff, the president quickly extended the deadline by several weeks.