His critics labeled President Donald Trump a dangerous bull in the economic china shop when he threatened to slap new tariffs on some goods imported from European Union members.

They were long overdue in response to unfair trade tactics aimed at the United States by the EU, Trump responded.

On Thursday, EU leaders appeared to cave. It was announced the United States may postpone implementation of tariffs against EU products — in response to that organization’s agreement to drop some of its trade barriers and enter talks on disputes over steel and some other products.

Will that result in real progress for the American economy? It is difficult to say. EU leaders may be simply stalling for time, or they may have no intention of following through with their promises.

For now, however, Trump’s critics have egg on their faces.