The manipulation of words by the media is why a better response in this situations might have been to ask the media to define "second thought". Personally I don't equate having a second thought with having regret. In his shoes I could imagine having second thought about delaying implementation of tariffs until Christmas.
President Trump triggered a wave of confusion at the Group of 7 summit Sunday when he seemed to express second thoughts about increasing tariffs on China and setting off a tailspin in the global markets.
"Yeah, sure," Trump said when asked if he had second thoughts about his escalating trade war with China. "I have second thoughts about everything."
The president's comments, over breakfast with new United Kingdom prime minister Boris Johnson, appeared to be the first time there were any hints of regret over the trade war with China.
Trump suggests 'second thoughts' about China tariff war, triggers confusion at G-7