Tough trade some politicians pursue? (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
hard line
'some politicians pursue?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'tough trade' is the wordplay.
'tough' becomes 'hard' (associated in meaning).
'trade' becomes 'line' (I've seen this in another clue).
'hard'+'line'='HARD-LINE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hard line that I've seen before include "Uncompromising approach" , "Uncompromising -- strict" , "(Of policy) unyielding" , "Policy that's uncompromising" .)