Trump in denial about his own words?

Mediate:

NY Times Produces Audio of Trump Endorsing Tariff He Swears He Never Endorsed

I suspect he is denying it because he intends it to be a bluff.  He bases the 45 percent tariff on his calculation of the effect of Chinese currency manipulation, but he is not very articulate in explaining it.  I have described this ploy as similar to Sheriff Bart in Blazing Saddles trying to halt a riot by taking his gun out and pointing it at his own head telling them to stop or he will shoot.