There are other costs to the Trump's "negotiating" tactics. A walk through the produce aisles of any Canadian grocery store will have fruits and veggies grown in Mexico, Chile, South Africa and many other places. But after Canadians had to live through Trump's ranting and misinformation campaign during last year's NAFTA2 bad-faith "negotiations", one very rarely sees a "Product of the United States" label anymore. People remember and refuse to purchase American products where alternatives exist.
6
I think when the reporter says unpredictable, he means unreliable. Trump is not reliable nor trustworthy. He agrees then takes it back. This is not someone to be believed.
4
This article must be the work of a PR department working for Trump's stealth supporters!
Fortunately, Trump's presidency cannot last longer than, at the most, eight years. Who knows, it might be only be four years. It is a very short transient moment in world history. If the great ;) Free Trade Agreement could be called a disaster then Trumps's tantrums be turned into a calamity for our own USA and the world.
Trump doesn't believe in anything that resembles a Principle or a Policy. So, he doesn't believe in a Deal. His thoughts change in a matter of minutes and his actions metamorphose in hours. Takuji Okubo might be playing for a fool if he thinks there is less chance that Trump would turn against Japan. Japan better focus on its own future but with a more harmonious outlook.
1
Trump has always thought that the patsy at the negotiating table was the "other guy".
2
The U.S. cannot be ignored. The President of the U.S. cannot be ignored. All countries must deal with the U.S. I really see no logic to asserting that because Trump’s behavior results in negotiations that he is being an effective leader. As far as I can see, any President can have negotiations because of the office and the country. What matters is the likelihood that those negotiations will be worthwhile and what actually does result.
I think it is evident that for Trump a good deal is that he is behind it, not what is in it. Scrap a deal made by a Democrat as the worst ever, change a few words and scrawl your signature on it, and it is the best ever. For Trump, deals are only to confuse reality and re brand something as his, like the name Trump on buildings he really does not own.
4
Trump's assertions that "trade wars are easy to win" fallacious. The country that instigates a trade war is always by far the biggest loser. The retaliating nations always have a tremendous advantage over those instigating protectionism. This can be easily seen with the tariffs on steel and aluminum that increase the costs of every product made in the US that uses those metals. Thus, American consumers and producers are already net losers from these ill-advised protectionist tariffs, even before any retaliation. These tariffs increase consumer prices and make products produced in the US less competitive, relative to those manufactured goods made outside the country using steel and aluminum priced at the world market, rather than the artificially propped-up, protected US aluminum and steel markets.
As Trump discovered when a retaliatory tariff was put on US motorcycles by the EU, mostly impacting Harley-Davidson (HOG), which will not raise any costs on any EU producers or for anyone in the EU except for buyers of motorcycles, the cost to the retaliating nations is miniscule. HOG has announced it will have to shift production outside of the US as a result of the tariffs. Thus, on top of the harm to US consumers, producers and exporters of the steel and aluminum tariffs, before any retaliation, American workers at HOG lose jobs and shareholders of HOG suffer as well. .."
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4205253
2
You're giving too much credit to Trump to call what he does a "trade tactic". His behavior is consistently adversarial and his decisions are based on a few factors - 1. What benefits him personally. 2. What will his "overseers", mostly at Fox News and other conservative media think. 3. What will rile up his base, especially if he can convert a complex situation to a snappy slogan and get him attention. His almost constant contradictory statements and changing direction are coming from chaos and self interest - not from anything tactical.
2
Trumps negotiating is akin to don corleone making an offer you cant refuse then calling up his enemies to let them know that he did not mean what he said, then forgetting that he said the opposite thing to Michael and sonny two days earlier, then running off to play golf. This man/child has no control over impulse or his bladder for all we know. Divide and conquer is not a strategy in politics. Nor is insult and confuse. Psychosis is what Donald trump is made of and is part and parcel of his negotiations.
1
Although Trump may be unpredictable with his actions the same trait could be labeled as being evasive and inconsistent and lacking in fidelity What is predictable is for Trump to be utterly lacking in integrity, and for him to repeatedly demonstrate no aversion to outright lies. He is so consistent in these traits that you can bet the house that he is lying on any statement that attempts to paint himself in a fairer light. Now, why would anyone want to negotiate with such a person? Unless you are planning a trap that clears the table! Counting grains of sand on a beach would be a more productive use of time than to attempt serious negotiation with a chronic liar.
2
One fact missing from this opinion piece (all negative, of course) is that America’s trade positions are better on most deals, and definitely not worse in any, than during prior administrations. Instead of coddling, capitulating, and bending over to foreign countries, Trump has become the bully they’ve been; unpredictable perhaps, but they don’t question his resolve to achieve fair and reciprocal trade agreements. Otherwise all of the leaders mentioned would ignore American demands, like they have forever.
"Some foreign leaders have determined the best approach to dealing with Mr. Trump is to draw out negotiations for as long as possible, potentially waiting out Mr. Trump’s presidency."
Considering how Trump behaves and the spinelessness of the GOP this strategy makes more sense than any other. However, what will they do if Trump is re-elected? My guess is that they do have other plans and those plans will not include the United States. Trump is failing on making America great again. I doubt that other countries are going to tolerate his nonsense for more than one term. At some point other leaders will walk away, make deals excluding America, and we will regret it.
Elections have consequences. The Brexiteers have learned this. I hope Trump's most zealous supporters learn this when Trump and the GOP execute decisions that are not good for them or the country. For decades the GOP has been attempting, with quite a bit of success, to undermine life for 99% of us. With Trump in charge they are undermining stability as well. At some point the rest of the world will decide that Trump is an aggravation they don't need. We will be shunned.
16
Trump has a style? That’s a little like saying Chauncey the Gardner had “unusual insights.”
8
Brilliant comment. no much to laugh about these days but that induced a belly laugh. Thank you.
1
Brilliant observation.
1
As a European I certainly do not always see the issue objectively, but at the long end we Europeans have to understand that the Trump administration is not a benevolently partner but a negotiating partner who always claims the right of the strongest. On the other Hand we have to grab our own nose to become a better partner. For example, the defence Budget.
4
Trump was raised to see anyone with who he confronts about anything as someone who must be defeated or he loses. One expects that in a boxing ring but not in negotiating longer term peaceful relations between great nations.
1
I think our country is on the verge of becoming so chaotic that other countries may not want to deal with us. Will China or others want to even try to deal with a country that has a President who is advocating that people ignore extremely important requests from Congress?
4
Canadians were bulliedby Trumpand and will not forgive it...Best
7
Ugh, he's not an artist with any deal he makes. More like dealing with the devil he is.
The first and last great business deal negotiated by Donald Trump was winning the DNA genetic lottery from his New York City real estate baron father. Followed by Trump parlaying playing a businessman on reality TV into occupation of the Oval Office of the White House.
Among the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump was 58% of the white voting majority including 62% of white men and 54% of white women. Trump's appeal to the worst demons of their nature was not covert stealth subtle.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin both saw Trump as their mutual dummy pawn pet puppet clown jester.
Every foreign leader has noticed Trump's diva narcissist ignorant, immature, immoral, incompetent, inexperienced, intemperate and insecure nature and nurture that craves flattery and needs praise.
5
It is sad to see that the Republican party allowed Trump not to disrupt Washington but to brake it along with its international reputation. It takes time and effort to build trust between people. It can be lost in seconds. One cheap lie is enough. The same is probably true of relations between countries especially when there are thousands of lies and their leaders do not respecting their agreements.
4
Getting people to the table was never the problem. It's the negotiations that are tough. So far trump hasn't delivered anything. No one trusts him.
30
Ironically Trumps trade negotiations and objectives may be the best thing for ecology.
If Trumps idea is to bring back manufacturing jobs to the USA in any form of business then we have reduced our carbon footprint as well as the worlds carbon footprint at large.
The closer we provide goods and services to our USA consumers the less transit pollution. As the third most populated nation on earth this would indeed be a good thing. Maybe better than any global warming treaty ???
Long live the efficiency and natural effects of capitalism.
1
He goes to the table not to serve the country but to serve his ego at the expense of the country and the world....he does NOTHING good for anyone but himself.
1
The Trump Organization offers no relevance to governing, and Trump has been exposed.
Trump was shunned by banks and the titans of Manhattan real estate because they knew his word was worthless and litigation was more likely than a deal. Trump could also not separate himself or his name from a deal so every opportunity was an exercise in identity and self-projection. In short you try to avoid business with people like this.
Trump envisions remaking global commerce in his image. It's truly frightening. We can only hope that he is defeated in 2020 and for the long overdue reckoning for the Republican Party.
4
No one anywhere on earth can depend upon Donald Trump. And they are fast learning to look elsewhere.
3
In short, Trump's strategy is to dishonor any and all agreements. And the rest of the world has responded with emergency surgery: namely, cutting the US out of the critical economic network across the globe.
10
I was finally going into the marketplace to replace my SUV with 220,000 miles. What fun making making a decision, Steeler yellow Honda Fit EXL with all the latest safety features. We can finally venture more than 100 miles (the towing limit on our policy), and journey into Pittsburgh to take my nondriving friend to lunch. But the car is made in Mexico. Can't get it. None available in the country. Trump threatens tariffs. Then he changes his mind. Then he changes his mind again. On/off, on/off, on/off like a two year old discovering a light switch. If only Trump understood the meaning of consistency. He may live in the moment and make decisions from his gut, but the rest of us like to plan.
13
I don't think Trump's tactics has brought anyone to the trade table more than any other administration has done or would have done, other than North Korea, which really is more a stunt to get some public relations attention of which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is the one who mainly benefited from it.
Look at the countries, all of them have sat at the table with us, the difference is, that Trump is erratic and really doesn't know what he is doing, he wasn't even a great deal maker as a real estate man other than take it or leave it offers.
Donald Trump and his form of Art of the Deal is a disaster, Trump runs his negotiations in the same way you have seen countless times on his reality television show "The Apprentice", well we have an "Apprentice President" who is still in training.
8
We should worry about our long term survival under president Trump's leadership and deal making ability. I've been dealing with real estate agents in Houston whenever I want to buy a property. They are blunt, demanding, and simply exaggerating market demands. They don't care about their reputation but only pay attention to the current deal today. Tomorrow is a new beginning. They will deal with the new challenges. I see parallel between Mr. Trump and Houston local agents. His tax return is just opaque as the Houston housing sales price and dates. What a coincidence.
10
I'm puzzled as to why people think Trump has been a successful trade negotiator, particularly on the subject of China.
His trade war is killing midwestern farmers, thanks to China's retaliatory tariffs on our farm products. There's no 'big wins' for the upper midwestern farmers- a big constituency of Trumps that he promise to take care of.
Trump and his supporters seem to think we have the 'upper hand' with China and that past administrations haven't asserted that well.
We buy LOTS of stuff from China. Arguably lots of things we can't produce ourselves anymore, due to a lack of facilities and expertise. Nobody else produces the volume and variety at the price China offers.
For Trump to negotiate with China as if they were some Tiny Tim contractor and dozens more just like them were ready and able to do business with us is a detrimentally delusional version of reality.
We might be their biggest buyers, but they are also our biggest suppliers. Replacing them will not be easy or cheap. And it has never been established that Americans are willing to 1) pay more 2) wait longer. Arguably, this is one of the key reasons the "Buy American" movement was a dismal failure.
Pretending otherwise is nothing but a blustery bluff.
12
Unpredictable style? Talk about candy coating it. This is like a chase seen in a Jason Bourne movie. The American people are the passengers and , while they are thrilled at the exhilaration of the ride, they will end up with a completely smashed up car and blood everywhere at the end. The jaws of life are needed to extricate them from the wreckage. And while they wait for the rescuers to arrive, they watch as Trump opens the drivers side door, smiling, and walks away without a scratch. Never looking back at the carnage left behind.
13
With his blunt politics, speaking skills and theatrical presence Trump could have brought America, its trading and military partners, forward in many ways.
Instead his darker angels, the only kind he possesses, have driven the country into every type of mud, free of inspirational moments.
7
Other than changing the name of NAFTA (and leaving it mostly the same), Trump has brokered no new deals for the United States. All that he has “accomplished” is violating the Iran nuclear arms deal and pulled out, left TPP, abandoned the Paris Climate Accord, and harmed NATO and the EU. He just can’t make deals.
11
What makes Mr. Trump feel good and makes his fans adore him even more, i.e., a perpetual sense of being cheated and a conviction that bullying and unpredictability will get what he wants, are very bad for both trade and international relations generally. Waiting him out and hoping he'll go away as some are doing, is certainly one option.
This unpredictability is one way that Mr. Trump continues to weak the United States on the world stage, though he does not understand that. What country will make an agreement with us, if this POTUS can simply on impulse (as he does so much) decide that parts of it do not count?
Bullies always think that they are strong, but they are really weak. Bullying always, over time, isolates the individual or country mistreating others. Those others, in turn, will always come together, form their own pacts, and stand together to resist the then marginalized bully.
10
Trump is a work in progress who experiments with the established ways of governing and tries to find out better ways of governing and changing what has not worked and what has hurt USA in the past. I would give him a pass for trying with good intentions and in America's best interest.
Trump's philosophy goes beyond If it is broken fix it and if it is not don't bother. Trump identifies problems that need fixing before it is too late. How many presidential candidates in 2016 identified problems in America and the world that needed fixing? None other than Trump. Being in denial that America has serious problems that need attention of the federal government will not get you elected. Focusing on Trump being the problem and the elephant in the room will only ensure reelection of Trump in 2020. To the presidential candidates, I ask what do you identify as the serious significant problems the nation is facing and whats your feasible solution?
Trump identified Trade deficit's with China during his 2016 campaign and his administration has worked hard to get a trade deal.As an independent observer, I was at the Louisville, KY convention center curious to listen to what Trump had to say during his campaign stop for the 2016 elections. The first thing I observed that impressed me was Trump's entry and taking up the microphone at 4 pm as scheduled. Next his focus on contemporary problems that America was facing and no one else talked about with passion. the third was his supporters.
3
It appears you haven't noticed that Trump is a prodigious liar who says anything that he thinks his audience wants hear, but whose words mean next to nothing as facts are to him just things to me made up in the moment and change in the next. As such he has little grasp of how anything really works and how to make it work better. His life has been one of taking the fortune his father left him and blundering his way along focused on the showiness of his deals and cheating anywhere he can to cover over his blunders.
All he's really doing long term is squandering everything good about the U. S. for the short term attention his blustering brings him.
That's all I see, or should say hear day after day of what comes out of his mouth. Much of the time he's only minimally coherent. Yes that might seem new and different from what you hear elsewhere but in the end it's primarily toxic sludge not useful insight and the world is left poorer for it.
5
'Agreed. Trump has exceeded my expectations in that he has put into play issues that other politicians were too timid to confront. In that sense, he typifies a successful executive in the private sector where one can't just ignore problems in the hope that they'll go away. On the other hand, typical politicians have no problem doing that provided they have plausible deniability. Even if Trump doesn't achieve ultimate solutions to N. Korea, immigration, China trade, etc, he has at least put the issues in play and called out the fools(i.e.,the legislators) who should be solving them.
2
@Girish Kotwal---You have managed to set up a Strawman Argument that "only I can fix" (to quote Donald Trump).
It is a false argument that you keep claiming "nobody else talked about it" or "none other than Trump". And yet, looking deeper, one can see that the trade problems had been brought up many times by many presidents, and progress was being made.
So what is the difference now? Donald Trump cares not who will be hurt--so long as he receives praise. Ask the midwestern farmers whose soybeans will not sell. Ask the steel workers or the coal miners whose lives have not been helped. Ask the middle class whose taxes have not been lowered--so that he could give immense breaks to the uber wealthy.
6
Trump has advanced some important ideas. The trade and technology issues with China needed to be addressed.
NAFTA promised more American jobs but more went to Mexico than the US. And the tariff issues with imported steel costs American jobs as well.
These were all issues important to American workers and Trump was right to renegotiate them. But once at the table the man who wrote 'The Art of the Deal' turned into the guy who talked a good game but failed to deliver.
The NAFTA negotiations will do some good for American banks and multi-national companies, but very little for American workers. Other than milk subsidies and Canada, little has been accomplished.
The same is true with China. Xi had already agreed to allow US banks to operate in China and permit American companies to own majority shares in Chinese companies. Great for capital, not much there for workers.
Again, increased NATO spending is good for arms manufacturing, but it will do little for the real economy.
And with North Korea, meetings, no deal. Russia, meetings, no deal. Saudi Arabia, meetings, no deal to end their war. And Israel/Palestine, meetings and no proposal much less a deal.
And after announcing tariffs on imported steel and doing so at an American factory, he quietly gave exemptions to South Korea, our biggest steel importer.
The art of the deal has become the art of the boast. But then that's what this presidency has been about from the beginning.
10
Also, where’s the infrastructure plan? Where is the healthcare plan? Where is the wall? Where is the GOP?
Dems need to highlight the absolute failures of DJT.
13
Where are the legislators from both parties?
@pete Come on, the GOP was in the majority for 2 full years! Not a plan, a proposal, nor a peep about infrastructure, which the Dems were ready to back since it benefits the entire nation.
Don't even bring up the non-existent GOP / Trump healthcare plan -- there hasn't been one presented in 10 years of their complaining about the one we do have.
Put down the Koolaid, the hangover is going to be brutal.
1
There's always a "but" after acknowledging a Trump accomplishment. There will always be pundits who can find things that could possibly go wrong. The difference between Trump and other politicians is he ignores them and fights to achieve results.
5
@AACNY
It's called ignoring long-term consequences and the bigger picture. The "but" is that he sometimes manages to obtain a short-term result by messing around with the good will of our allies, who are trying not to lose patience with the US and this nonsense that we have been putting them through.
15
What accomplishments? Sowing chaos and division?
6
Let’s hope Trump’s policies crash the economy in time for the 2020 election. With work I also hope he can get gas prices way up by that time. I’m sure he will say it’s the Democrats who did it but nobody believes him.
6
@Roy Greenfield
This captures perfectly the problem with Trump's critics. They'd rather see the economy fail just to prove themselves right about Trump.
3
@AACNY Wrong! His policie will fail. It's just a question of time so let's hope it's before the election
5
@AACNY---His critics do not view Donald Trump through rose colored glasses. It's called "reality".
4
In a certain sense, Trump is right. Nothing here on our planet is 'eternal', things are continuously changing.
However, making deals and revoking them within a short laps of time, is proof of the volatile character of Mr Trump. He acts on a whim, evaluates himself as the best businessman who ever graced the earth with his presence and, last but not least, has brilliantly contributed to the decline of the esteem in which the rest of the world held the USA.
I hope either the Republicans or the Democrats will succeed in presenting a less clownesque candidate...
15
This paragraph relates the key facts “The lack of certainty from the United States has prompted its trading partners to seek comprehensive deals elsewhere. Japan, along with Canada and Europe, has been entering into negotiations with other countries to try to diversify away from the United States. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multicountry trade pact that Mr. Trump withdrew from, has already gone into effect, as have European trade agreements with both Japan and Canada.” Trump, enabled by Bernie and Hillary via their rejection of the TPP, has led the USA to USEXIT. The consequences will be an unrestrained China and no meaningful trade partnerships. We are lucky so many of our allies have shown such patience. With 2020 coming Trump’s erratic behavior to rev up his base may increase and make things worse.
11
The US and the EU both subsidise farms to protect their respective industries, so it makes no sense for either to undermine decades of agricultural policy by now opening their market up to outside competition.
The comparison with cars is over-simplistic, since the car industry is far less heavily government-sponsored than agriculture. Volkswagen group might suffer from tariffs, but Audi, Porsche and Mercedes wouldn't see much of a fall in sales as they don't set out to compete on price anyway. It's a luxury good and you pay for quality and for the brand name.
The Boeing-Airbus dispute is also quite amusing, since the US is angry that the EU provides subsidies to Airbus, even though the US government (and various states) give the same sort of treatment to Boeing, slashing their development costs by providing DoD grants. And after all that underhandedness, Boeing can't keep their flagship planes in the air.
7
@Mark Also, Japan might not be directly suffering from Trump's tariffs, but the slowdown in China has a huge knock-on effect.
Japan has been sustaining growth by targeting the Chinese market, so if the Chinese are hurting there will be consequences for Japan and other smaller regional exporters.
1
good
Not sure why this is a surprise. Disreputable players in the real estate business have been doing this for years. It’s called ‘re-trading’. They gain a reputation and others STOP doing business with them. It’s time to wake up. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
22
Even the most wretched cheating business person knows full well that a deal with a wretched cheat is never to be relied upon.
Therefore, Trump-Pence deals, being from wretched cheating persons, are never to be relied upon, and this applies not only to trade, but to all other presidential decrees both foreign & domestic. Those believing otherwise are foolish.
15
This is nobody should do business with him. He shamelessly shifts the goal post all the time. He is a dishonorable man who says “meet me in the middle.” But when somebody actually takes a step forward, he takes a step back. Then he says, “meet me in the middle” again. Nope, no thanks.
18
There is a lot ot talk about a coming recession. No matter how much trump boasts about a booming American economy it is only the calm before the storm. One man will be responsible for the coming recession. Strats with T ends with P. Friends have been discussing if we should pool some money and buy some gold.
13
@Bev
There is a lot of talk about a coming recession but not so much about the gains in employment, small business growth, etc.
Trump's critics remain convinced he cannot actually succeed, despite the economy.
1
@AACNY--Trump's critics rightly know that this economy is a continuation of the Obama Economy. On inauguration day, Trump claimed he received an economy in shambles. It was not--and he is claiming credit for it daily.
https://www.vox.com/2019/2/5/18210757/state-of-union-2019-economy-fact-check
4
@AACNY: Trump is only two years into his term. His economic policies (good or bad) aren't relevant, because there hasn't been sufficient time for their impact to be felt. Any economic success over that period can be laid squarely at the feet of this predecessor.
When my late father started doing business in the 50s, shaking hands was enough as people were supposed to honor their words, even if a contract would be signed as well later. In the following years, words became no longer enough, but a proof, a contract was. At the end of his career, he complained that even when a deal had been signed, businessmen would try to renegotiate it, when the ink was not even dry. The only surprising thing to me is that you could expect more gravita from a president than from “mere” businessmen. After all, when the US ambassador offered to show General De Gaulle pictures proving that the Soviets were about to install nukes in Cuba, the French president famously answered “no need, the word of the American president is enough to me.”
17
I think it's a mistake to regard any of Trump's statements as indicators of his position on any issue. It appears to me that Trump responds only to his emotions and feelings at any given time. Elevating his actions to the level of strategy ascribes a much higher than deserved value to his actions.
But there is one exception and that is pleasing his ego. There is nothing he will not do to get his "fix" of applause from his followers.
11
"Don’t believe a final deal is truly final." If this really is Trump's belief and tactics then it is no wonder that other governments are losing trust in his administration. Trade is based on trust, without trust business in the long run becomes unsustainable.
11
Reality Check no such thing free trade. An NAFTA was just smoke screen so people didnt care our govermnet spent trillions on imported computors for government use. So why would our government use tax money to purchase imports knowing know those products use to be made in usa an paed payroll taxs?
2
The Art of the Deal: If you don't like what you're being offered, renegotiate and end up settling for even less. How much was Congress offering him for the wall a couple of years ago? It must have been at least $10 billion. Somehow he bartered himself down to five, then down to one. I'm guessing negotiations with Xi will end with us paying $100 billion for a truckload of MAGA hats and miniature American flags.
27
@Ryan It was a whole lot more than $10 billion. The offer was to give $25 billion for wall construction over a 10 year period in exchange for DACA.
8
Meanwhile, with all of this, the stock market keeps going up and up and up.
4
@Chris Manjaro---down to earth
http://money.com/money/4754213/stock-market-trump-100-days-presidents/
@Chris Manjaro: of course the same could be said of Hoover's first year in office. Anyway, seeing as there's generally a two-year lag between implementation and effect in economic policy, don't you think your praise should be directing to Trump's predecessor?
1
Total commercial sanction against a foreign country's commerce is American harshest weapon on earth, coupled with the most powerful American military. Under that total sanctions, a foreign nation not only cannot trade with Americans, they cannot trade with anybody else in the world, for most nations worry to become the next target of U.S.. It is this double combination that bring most of foreign nations come to deal with Trump. Look at the sad economy of Venezula and Iran and one-time Russia. A bully asks for equal terms from kids; can it be fair, really?
2
Mitch McConnell, you need to step up and tell the president he is causing unnecessary stress upon our trading partners, and to stop. The continual damage Trump is causing is not appreciated. Trump is not the grand wizard of Oz, the curtain has been opened, you, Trump, have been exposed. All you're doing is embarrassing yourself in front of the world, and, make America pay the price for your actions. America should have spoken louder in 2018.
11
@Dan O Mitch McConnell won't step in and caution Trump. As it is McConnell's reptilian tactics will continue to work against majority voter consensus long after he is dead and Trump has become an historical asterisk.
8
I used to think the Senate had a role in making treaties with other countries, and that the President could act unilaterally only in an emergency.
Has our country become an autocracy? Do ‘conservatives’ have any principles at all?
7
Anybody who does a deal with Trump gets exactly what he deserves, which is double-crossed.
I presume that our former partners have connected the dots.
11
The guy while flogging real estate went broke a number of times and eventually the banks quit lending him money. He is still trying to bumble his way when dealing with countries that simply don't trust him or his word. If word is someones bond, he certainly shows that his word is good till the next minute or so, when he forgets what he has said or agreed to. Hurting people is no problem for him, ruining international trade doesn't bother him at all. The guy needs a mental checkup because no sane person acts the way he does. Luckily he isn't my President , you voted for him, you got him( even though he lost by about three billions votes, but who counts them down your way?
22
Hey world, if you haven't learned already - don't talk to or negotiate with anyone in the Trump admin. All you will get is frustrated. Please break relations with the US and move on, as long as Trump is president. You'll be doing Americans a huge favor.
9
I dealt with someone like this once. We had an agreement, which she broke. So we made another agreement where I conceded most of what she wanted. Then she came back for the rest. I walked, she failed. A true lose-lose. The president will too, but in this case I can’t walk.
16
@Padfoot Sounds like U.S. treaties with native Americans, all of which the government broke. As one long-time Trump-watcher noted: negotiations begin *after* the ink is dry.
3
Plenty of international agreements are pending ratification from the US Senate. America is not a good team player. Trump is a symptom of an anachronistic constitution that fails to help the USA lead in the 21st century. China has superior governance and leadership. This is why they are winning in all spheres. If it is all about the balance sheet then the USA has lost hands down.
9
ask the Uighurs how they feel about Chinese governance.
For that matter, ask the rest of the world.
A how many times bankrupt president?
13
Leaders of other countries would do us Americans a favor if they refused to meet with or hood any negotiations at all with Trump. That would send a needed message to McConnell, Grassley and others of our politicians who are aiding and abetting him in the destruction of our economy and way of life.
18
don't buy Chinese imports. Most are poisonous. China doesn't care about the environment.
@Bob - Under this administration neither does the U.S.
2
Why would anyone trust Trump. He lies a lot, and is completely untrustworthy, except he can be counted on to feed his vanity, blame victims, promote rage, violence and hatred, and do whatever it takes to make himself richer.
21
Of course, none of his “deals” have been done. Trump is surely a great snowman and a greater fraud.
18
If Trump pays you with a check (if he pays you at all) run to the bank and cash it immediately.
7
Lede: President trump is embracing a new tactic? Really? Not sure where the author has been, but trump’s negotiating tactics are anything but new, at least to him. He’s been proving for years that the deals he makes are not even worth the paper they’re printed on.
11
United States so far provided the stability in the world market. It’s word was the bond and countries flocked to sell the goods and services to it.
Trump with his very crude negotiating technique, which he has perfected in crooked and sleazy real estate market in NY and which he is using it in world market, has brought down our name, prestige and leadership role.
It would take a great effort on our future Presidents to regain our lost stature back.
14
Why anyone would make a deal, with Trump, is beyond me. Throughout his life he's proven himself to be a dishonest negotiator. Whether it's stiffing his contractors, keeping promises (we are still waiting for those tax returns) or pulling out of internationally negotiated agreements, no person or country would see it in their self-interest to make deal with Trump.
He touts himself as a 'dealmaker', but this was all a facade for his reality TV show.
19
LOL - Trump is predictable. He is an un-intelligent and egotistical, he will not do his homework on issues, and will reject or accept offers and then totally change positions. Trump is being played by China and North Korea. European leaders just ignore him and his ignorance.
It is amazing that the Obama economic recovery is still lasting. I have a feeling that is going to change soon.
19
Trump's unpredictability is the result of not having a well thought out plan going in. God forbid that he reads a few briefing papers to prepare. You can bet that the other party is doing their homework. With regard to China specifically, they always play the long game. They will pretend to play but won't agree to anything substantive until Trump is gone unless of course our brilliant negotiator gives away the store. I think most countries will be happy to deal with a rational America again once Trump is gone in 2020 but the damage done by those countries making alternate arrangements over the preceding 4 years will be irreparable.
21
The truth is, there is not many places for money to go. If you do need to apply leverage, do it now. Euro? China?? UK?
This, more than anything is keeping the economy humming.
Trump has a specific approach to dealmaking. First he takes just about any deal from any rube that will deal with him. Historically he overpays.
Then, with help from his lawyers on retainer, he stops paying from his side of the deal.
He does not pay his accounts payable - while also making sure each of his accounts receivable is paid with the help of those same lawyers. In my experience this is a common Republican business model.
And that's the second best possible way to increase cash flow fast.
Better yet is to do the same with banks. So what if they stop lending to you - you already have all their money (not really their money, but their depositors money, so they write it off and raise fees).
When you run out of foolish bankers hungry for risk (the opposite of their job description, by the way), you then tap into stolen Russian money that needs laundering.
In the worst case you just go bankrupt, but so what, it's not your money.
Isn't capitalism great?
14
What has happened is that many other countries have adjusted to the bullying attempts of the administration.
12
The first rule of being an unethical politician that I ever learned was to give the voters what they wanted even if it was counterproductive to their interests in the long-or sometimes the short-run. Rarely would it cost you a vote among those who voted for you unless it was truly and immediately disastrous. The problem for Trump is that he has done this on so many issues and they so horrify any reasonably ethical people in America, that it's hard to see this strategy working in 2020. Maybe it will, but it will be sheer dumb luck and the electoral college that does it.
4
Trump does not know or care much about trade. He's just doing what he's done his entire life, casting it to the wind and then doubling down.
When things go wrong he'll simply blame others and take credit for trying - while also telling everyone he won again. That's his winning formula.
31
@Fourteen14
Perfect summation. Parts of what you say here are often quoted by Trump supporters.
11
@Fourteen14
Maybe you missed it but China already has dropped auto tariffs and relinquished their demand for intellectual properties. Even though the new NAFTA deal is way better the Democrats are not signing the deal but insisting on a better deal. So they prefer to stay in the old much weaker NAFTA??.
1
@Larry
Don't believe a word of it. They've been talking like that since they joined the WTO in 2001. The Chinese have provided no specifics. What happens in China is not based on law, but on what the Party wants in its own interest.
Meanwhile, Trump's adventure in tariffs have cost the US $32 billion dollars in lost business investment.
10
It’s exasperating and sickening to read that, after all the success of and after all the the ignorance about our President’s trade deals, the ongoing, legitimate proof of the former is still held at bay for the bleating of the latter.
1
Huh? Is this a comment about inaugural crowd size?
15
Trump treats internal and external politics like a one-time smash and grab real estate gamble. He plays brinkmanship, injects threats, ultimatums at the last minute or half-way through the project. If the other side wants the deal bad enough they cave and it works. If they don't, they both walk. Trump's corporation declares 'bankruptcy' and Trump walks away after having milked lots of money out of the deal.
This is exactly how internal politics, geopolitics, trade negotiations do Not work.
20
whatever you need to tell yourself
the Chinese are bending, leveling the playing field, to some extent. That is quite a positive.
spin it however ya like
4
@Joe Yoh Trump has obtained some concessions from China, which is good. Unfortunately, he didn't have a strategy or any real idea of what he wanted beyond 'getting a better deal' and so the US has not really been able to take advantage of these.
9
@Joe Yoh
There has been no leveling by Trump at all. None needed either. We want to buy, they want to sell.
Since we initiate with a buy transaction, it's all apparently worth it to us; that is, we get a good deal.
People forget that we do not "give" billions to China and that the Trade Deficit is not a deficit at all, it's not like a budget deficit.
What happens is we freely Trade billions of dollars for billions in goods. And we get the long end of the stick since we initiated the deal and keep doing so.
We really should be thanking China; without China it would be like our incomes were suddenly cut in half.
Would be nice to have their markets open though. Of course no one would buy because our labor costs are so high, like our $39/hour labor manufacturing cost vs their $4/labor hour.
But we could certainly compete on our strong point, services.
4
@Joe Yoh...Right, and North Korea has scrapped their nuclear weapons program.
11
This administration’s approach to trade is bully, bully, bully,”
The only sure thing about Donald is that he is a bully. And a great liar.
30
@Mgaudet If the president was a great liar, we would believe him. He's just a liar, a transparent liar.
13
Trump and his Republican enablers are simply not smart enough to govern effectively. He stumbles from failure to failure, covering up his incompetence and lack of intelligence with bluster, innuendo, and falsehoods.
29
It seems to be a piety that business doesn’t like uncertainty. But ordinary people don’t like it either. Tearing up contracts is a good way to disrupt things and maybe you can snaffle off something from the debris. But you are nuts if you think that Trump’s is the way to build confidence.
We thus see that the Republicans are nuts. Q.E.D.
Sorry about Notre Dame. That was a nice Cathedral they had in France. It goes to show that the unexpected happens as well as the inevitable.
3
"They are wary that Mr. Trump will decide at the last minute that the deal isn’t good enough and send President Xi Jinping away empty-handed..."
The Chinese were still approving new trademarks for Ivanka in January, weren't they? So, THEY should have to listen to non-stop Trump nonsense. But, no....instead American citizens again have to endure Trump family "greatness":
"(Ivanka's) a natural diplomat," Trump told The Atlantic. "She would've been great at the United Nations, as an example."
But if he had nominated his daughter -- who is a senior adviser to the president -- "they'd say nepotism, when it would've had nothing to do with nepotism. But she would've been incredible."
"I even thought of Ivanka for the World Bank," Trump said. "She would've been great at that because she's very good with numbers."
"She's got a great calmness... I've seen her under tremendous stress and pressure. She reacts very well -- that's usually a genetic thing, but it's one of those things, nevertheless," Trump said.
https://japantoday.com/category/world/trump-considered-daughter-ivanka-for-head-of-world-bank
Those Republicans ready to re-nominate Trump should be able to tell us, if Ivanka will be running the United Nations or the World Bank.
5
As I was reading this, I remembered the NY Times The Daily podcast that referenced Fred and Donald Trump working together to manipulate the stock market in the 1980s. We all know that Trump couldn’t care less about the country; for him, it’s consistently “what’s in it for me?”, whether that be money or self-aggrandizement.
Hopefully the SEC is tracking his stock trades/activity as he engages in trade talks.
14
@Dr. M
Everyone manipulates the stock market - everyone. That's how they make their money. It only takes about $5 million plus leverage. Every fund does it, every minute of every day.
2
@Fourteen14
Not the point, and another "whataboutism". Trump is not trustworthy. We shouldn't have to be concerned that the President of the U.S. is faithfully engaging in trade talks not for the good of the country, but for the good of his portfolio.
4
@Dr. M--exactly right!
1
In time Trump's antics, his waffling, his stiffing others in the course of negotiations and his lack of respect for the leaders and people of other countries will wear thin and perhaps, as the piece indicates, our trading partners will find new partners to dance with and Trump will be the jilted courtier.
Sadly, our country will suffer due to his whacky and daffy "negotiation" style. The suffering could possibly affect his largest fan base-blue collar workers who think Trump is their savior.
If there is massive job loss, and higher prices in the market place, will those adoring supporters still flock to his hate festivals?
12
One thing don knows how to do is pat himself on the back .
Anything else ?
12
Trump is a lame duck and his fifteen minutes is on the count down. He will likely be exiled to Honduras as a tourist side show and where he is hated.
9
It's kind of amazing that we're not in a recession yet with this guy at the helm.
7
@Mike M.
We are not in a recession yet because the GOP is racking up debt on the national credit card in order to goose the economy.
20
@Mike M. Just as you can’t recover from a recession in a heartbeat, so you cannot cause one in a heartbeat, either. Recall the lead up to 2008. It took years for everyone to realize the real estate boom was a house of cards built on worthless mortgages that could never be paid back. We are on a sugar high now, but a crash is coming.
4
Where, pray tell, is the evidence that his "unconventional" negotiating style is working?????
While treating all negotiations as a "zero sum game", may work where there is little or no likelihood of repeat negotiations, it is a disastrous recipe for international relations, where 90% or more of all negotiations are with repeat players! The object should be "win-win".
13
@Sandra
That's right, you can only walk away from a negotiation or treat it as zero sum if you have other possibilities, but not with repeat negotiations with the same group. Trump the great dealmaker is ignorant of Negotiations 101.
Nevertheless, his style does play well with his Trumpsters, who are also clueless about dealmaking.
8
One thing is certain and that's that our trading partners won't forget the insults, smears, lies and lack of consistency that mark this administration. Canada as a threat to our security, insulting Mexico at every opportunity, dictators as a higher priority in trading than democracies, personal attacks on elected leaders, it just goes on and one.
Revenge is a meal best served cold. Trump may not know that, but they do.
13
If there is one thing any country learns when they have to deal with Trump it's the fact that you can trust him about as far as you can throw the Rock of Gibraltar.
He has but the world economy into a tail spin and the only question to ask is will there be a crash or will it fly?
3
"If a man's handshake is no good all the {legal} paper in the world won't make it good." ~ Richard J. Daley
With Delusional Donnie, you never know where he stands, or where the deal stands.
He has a lengthy history of "re-negotiating" a signed deal.
He has long (and infamously) used that technique in real estate, for example demanding "re-negotiation" on a signed lease with threats to fail to provide the agreed upon services after the tenant has moved in, when it would be costly and inconvenient for that tenant to have to find another place to house their business.
Anyone who knows his history would be nuts to enter into a deal with him, because he never lives up to his "word."
13
The EU imports more agricultural products than it exports, and the vast majority of what its imports (28%) comes from the USA. The majority of the Mercedes and BMWs sold in the USA are actually made here in the USA. It's one of the great success stories of modern US manufacturing. It took me all of 5 minutes to verify those stats... something Trump never seems to do before spouting off or walking into a negotiation.
His willful ignorance is, perhaps, an even greater factor than his unpredictability in undermining our trade deals. He has no understanding of world trade and apparently no ability to even learn about it. What he's doing is so bad that he's not just failing to make new deals and sending countries scrambling for more reliable partners, he's undermining the credibility of our entire government. It will take years to undo this damage -- the full negative effects of which have barely begun registering on our economy -- much to our detriment.
24
President Trump appears overwhelmed by the job. President Obama didn't have much experience but he had experienced people working for him. He also had loyal people working for him. Trump doesn't have anyone like this.
12
@Julia I remember Trump stating that he alone could fix things, so, he alone is a one man wrecking crew.
9
Yup, serial strategic bankruptcies and stiffing contractors are real confidence builders in the work of nations.
20
Once I took a class about negotiations. One of the important take away was that long term deals are successful only if they ultimately serve the interests of both parties. Even if one party has momentarily the upper hand and can coerce the other into accepting something against his own best interest the deal achieved will be short lived. This ultimately creates disorder and instability.
A good example would be the peace accord signed at the end of WW1 which eventually lead the way to WW2. The peace accord after WW2 which included various Marshal Plans was a lot more successful.
But Trump does not read books. He does not need to.
137
@Gabi
"The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was an American initiative passed in 1948 to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave over $12 billion[1] (nearly $100 billion in 2018 US dollars)[2] in economic assistance to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Plan
The Marshall Plan was NOT part of the plan to end World War II.
7
@Gabi
Most expert negotiators - know that the deal needs to be a win - win for both parties. This president does not understand or care about that concept. For him and his administration the deals have to be win - lose or this president is not happy. And everyone fears this president's wrath and vindictive bullying when he is not happy - a fate his inner circle tries to avoid at all costs. He has a need to bully people and nations to feel powerful. He does not get any gratification out of being fair and reasonable to others like most of us and like many benevolent wealthy individuals. He has been a failed businessman with many bankruptcies, corruption, and criminal behavior on his resume. He is a fake, a snake oil salesman who only rose to power because of his ability to lie and cheat with no conscience and because of his ill gotten inheritance, a fortune his family obtained as a result of ripping off the US government of 500 million dollars in unpaid taxes. He is a seriously flawed human being who lacks any true leadership skills.
7
@Joe From Boston---Gabi did not say that, Joe. She said "the peace accord after WWII which included various Marshal Plans."
5
I think it is safe to say that domestically and internationally, everyone is hoping that Trump will do as little damage as possible as they wait him out.
It will take lots of work to fix what Trump broke.
163
@Sherlock - it seems like it's worth ignoring Trump's little two-bit scam of playing golf at his own resort every chance he gets so his business can bilk the secret service for using his facilities, just so long as it keeps him preoccupied with cheating his golf scores and out of the White House as much as possible.
58
@Sherlock...and a lot of time too
5
What really undermines the role the United States has traditionally played in setting and stabilizing the global rules of trade, is the loss in confidence by our trading partners in US government leaders caused by the fact that Republicans in Congress are letting this ding-dong Trump stay in power and create chaos, apparently just so they can stuff the judiciary with right-wing wacko justices and cut taxes for the rich.
33
As in business, so in politics. This guy's word is worth less than nothing, so he's in no position to negotiate for the United States. His financial records (as detailed meticulously in the Times' Pulitzer-winning investigation) prove as much. Why did every American bank stop lending him money? Because he didn't pay back his loans. There's no issue on which he hasn't said one thing and later done another, whether it's trade or nuclear disarmament or immigration.
Still, the world is not laughing at America. It's laughing at our spineless, fickle President.
10
@jim emerson No, the world is indeed laughing at America. In between grimaces and bouts of sheer terror. And cringes at how embarrassing our Ugly American is.
9
Undermine our global role? What global role is that? As unreliable, flighty bully? Anyone paying the slightest attention to Mr. Trump's business career knew already that his reputation as the consummate 'dealmaker' was already a fraud perpetuated by his naive followers in the hinterland and his cynical agitprop political operatives. He cheats and lies with natural, unstudied ease. His actions have charted the path of our decline in to the irrelevance of Rome after the Visigoths sacked it.
11
Probably in the long run it's good for other countries to diversify away from the US anyway: a complex networked world is a better ecology than a unilateral world. But if only we could reach some working model for the future without going through all this Trump craziness. There are very serious problems and opportunities that are being ignored because of this person. (And all the oligarchs and mafias all over the world...)
6
Trump is as described by then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
What could be added to that description is that he is a dangerous egomaniac.
8
All his shenanigans are going to achieve in the long run is that no one will talk to us about anything. We'll truly be on our own, including economically and politically. Completely isolated. Then these supporter idiots of his will finally learn that 'great' means you are expected to surrender some of your own glory for something better along the way. They need to realize that if you grab everything for yourself, eventually everyone else will get fed up and take it all back. If all you focus on are short term 'wins' (as Trump has done his entire useless life) eventually you'll have nothing.
It's too bad the rest of us who didn't buy into this ridiculousness have to pay too, and those (like Trump) who caused it will dance off with more of the goods the rest of us paid for.
6
Trump has already raised $30 mill for his 2020 campaign and therein lies Trump's trade strategy. Use global and domestic issues for fundraising. The long term, short term, or strategic harm to America is of NO consequence to this plan.
Fundraising from his base, and the corporations he benefits thru his executive orders, is all that matters.
Our (former) allies are painfully aware and strategically setting their own defense path knowing they can no longer count on America. China knows that Trump would sell America "down the river" and has made huge progress with BRI & MIC2025.
If it becomes apparent Trump will lose 2020, expect a national security executive order to set aside the results.
There is NO way Trump is giving up the best scam of his life.
6
He probably can't remember the deals he's already made. Like any good con man he's completely (or "totally," as the "high IQ person" would say) focused on his next mark.
7
Each time trump 'win' something, the rest of the world thinks less of America.
Trump behaves like my dog, begging for food, and feel like a winner when I give in and give him more food.
2
“Unpredictable” means “unreliable” and “untrustworthy” in plain English. How can you negotiate with someone like that?
10
Donald Trump could execute some serious jujitsu to satisfy his base if he were a bit more clever.
He could use climate change as a lever to encourage domestic consumption of domestically produced goods. Today, when any sizable nation has the capability to produce any technical goods it needs, there is no reason to shop parts and materials hundreds of thousands of mile to save s few pennies. US consumers can consume US produced goods, Chinese consumers can consume goods produced there.
Second, regarding immigration. The best thing the US could do to tame its carbon footprint is to cease immigration and send 12 million people consuming like Americans to their home countries where their carbon footprints are 1/10th the size.
The fact that no deal under Trump is ever final means that countries will stop dealing with us to the extent they reasonably can.
6
The reason Trump's vaunted "negotiating" skill won't work is that its foundation is, like all Trump enterprises, dishonesty. And, not surprisingly, honesty in foraging agreements of any kind is the major prerequisite for trust, without which there can be no good agreements.
Trump's bragging of "being unpredictable" is just a variation of "the best defense is a good offence." He isn't smart enough to figure out how to create a win-win deal, so he lazily bullies, blusters, threats and lies. He's not fooling anybody.
16
Trump says Whatever he thinks sounds good to his ignorant followers in a particular moment. Business investment often reflects planning for the next decade. Trump is emotionally unqualified for this type of work.
4
This is a lot less exciting than the distraction of Russian collusion which suddenly blew up. Trade policy is not something people much care about. The job numbers and low unemployment are impressive. What were the Democrats doing to boost our economy while they were in the WH? Now the bloggers are nitpicking on trade policy while negotiations with China are in a delicate stage. Did Obama ever get that far? He played it safe and did nothing while China grew more and more powerful. We have in Trump a leader and a doer who is concerned with furthering American interests and not with advancing some global scheme which puts us at a disadvantage. Rule number one: never give up your power but use it. Tariffs are a unique example of leverage which Obama was afraid to use.
1
@Edward: Obama saved the American economy after Republicans trashed it and American banks don’t want to deal with Trump anymore, so Trump is now in the pocket of shady Russians and Deutsche Bank. Tariffs are just a tax on the American people. Some American interests! Trump acts only in his own interest, and I have a bridge to sell you...
9
You cannot bargain with a swindler, a pathological liar, someone who's business adventures have been bankrupted.
This is a bankrupt personality, everything he does is for his personal ego, not for the benefit of the country. His movie is to convince a certain group of those who think they know, what they don't know can solve their problems, prejudices, bigotry, economic ignorance.
The leaders of these other countries are too diplomatic to say to him, we will not make a deal with you.
6
It's hopeless. His mind is blocked with "losers" vs. "winners" nonsense. It's that simple.
3
Trump said from the beginning that he was good at "renegotiating deals", which means being unreliable and untrustable.
His tactics had taken him to a level where contractors and banks wouldn't work with him. He had relied on lawsuits, fixers, bankruptcy court, and Russian money to keep him afloat.
So far he's "renegotiated" us out of TPP then wanted back in; threw together USMCA which doesn't look much different than NAFTA, and pulled us out of the Iran treaty so we've lost leverage there. The back-and-forth with China has already hurt our farmers and manufacturing, and without any stability in sight it will continue to do so. Even Mexico and Canada are finding they can't trust Trump to keep his own new "deal".
His 2 deals which have made a significant difference are;
a) the Saudi Arabia arms deal, which helps Bin Salman the Butcher and supports terrorist organizations the Saudis favor, and
b) North Korea where we have given up joint exercises and our credibility while Kim has gained respect by making us look foolish.
Trump doesn't have any idea how to run a successful business, let alone a government, let alone the most powerful government on earth. He only knows disruption, "truthful hyperbole" and changing his mind every few days.
Of course other countries and the EU are seeking deals elsewhere, just as contractors and banks have dumped Trump industries. But the US can't be bailed out by a bankruptcy court.
No plan.
7
What Trump wants more than anything else is the one thing his negotiating partners are less and less interested in providing - namely anything whatsoever that the shameless bully could possibly point to as a win.
1
Trump is the consummate liar and con man. His history as a businessman makes one wonder why anyone would trust him, invest in his projects, or ever trust him to follow through with his contracts.
He is the absolute worst person to have in charge during the challenges of our times.
10
In my social group, we once discussed a sort of "policy" for inclusion. No selfish jerks (we actually used a stronger word) and their behavior should be fairly dependable and predictable -- not nice and agreeable one day and sullen and uncooperative the next.
Trump would not be among our friends, and I don't see why anyone in the world economic community would want to deal with him either. He is squandering the goodwill of the U.S.
4
A personality disorder is a serious psychopathology and sadly generally intractable. It never ends up well for those with this disease and unfortunately the same for those around this type. In my experience a very difficult population to help.
One has to ask how the voting public fell so willingly into this trap, certainly Fox, et al is a big part.
7
The president and me want our global role to change. It should change that our role is to first and foremost look out for the interests (long term) of US citizens. This is a radical departure of traditional rolls, that is why the president was elected.
1
@vulcanalex
Our global role has changed. The US is no longer the leader of the free world. I guess you think that's a good thing.
3
"But his approach is causing concern among business groups and foreign officials, who say the uncertainty Mr. Trump loves to sow could undermine the role the United States has traditionally played in setting and stabilizing the global rules of trade, hampering economic growth in the process."
This man enjoys an unprecedented level of luck in that his chaos so far hasn't led to disaster. I'm just not sure how long he can keep avoiding one. Sooner or later, his credibility will be exhausted abroad, much as it has been here at home.
21
@ChristineMcM I have to say, his credibility is already exhausted abroad. Other countries are simply waiting him out.
2
As long as Trump gets to hold up what looks like a menu with his big black signature on it, he will claim it's the best deal ever negotiated in the history of the world. Twenty four hours later he will undermine it. We've seen this game before.
69
Keep in mind, we're talking about a guy who somehow managed to bankrupt four casinos and started (and took deposits for) an imaginary college. His self-described "business acumen" doesn't fill me with much hope, especially if he wins a second term of office.
58
This has been Trump's standard operating procedure forever. His word in worthless. Nothing is set in stone, even with a written contract.
204
@Jeffrey Stern Trump's standard operating procedure consists of lies, more lies, and big lies. He is untrustworthy, not nearly as brilliant as he thinks he is, and completely self centered. Teddy Roosevelt may have carried a big stick but he didn't rave or rant. Trump seems to have one setting on volume: the whine shout. He is too ready to accuse others of bad faith at the negotiating table.
His attitudes and statements remind me of an interview I had at a well known box store. I was on time. The front desk called the manager at least 4 times. She didn't respond. Someone walked me to the back. The manager, before she even said hello, accused me of being late. That's Trump.
2
Empty threats, empty promises. Interrupted by vicious tantrums, condoned by a complicit Senate. A hair raising show, and then it hits you. It isn't a show, it's our government.
90
Trump has no credibility with anyone.
That’s the price you pay for being a con man in plain view.
67
One can always count on the stable genius with a very large brain to shoot himself in the foot and undermine everything he seeks to accomplish simply by opening his very large and unstable mouth. You cannot bully trading partners, break treaties at will, insult allies while courting enemies and try to replace an interconnected global economy with separate, more narrowly defined bilateral agreements without destroying your own economy.
49
When Canada agreed to integrate our economy with the US, some thirty years ago, we knew there was a small risk of a madman who would hold a gun to our heads in the future. We have much more to lose in such a scenario, and we knew that but never thought our close friends would do such a thing. Looks like that was a big mistake. You are no longer a reliable partner...and that trust will be difficult to rebuild.
75
Why would anyone try to negotiate a deal with someone who is highly likely to undercut whatever was agreed? The best strategy would be to string the process out as long as possible in anticipation of a return to mature adults on the other side of the table taking charge in about January 2021.
In the meantime, the status and influence of the US, on a global basis, spirals downhill as what was once a world leader turns into a joke. A terrifying joke, but a joke nonetheless.
350
@Another Canadian
It's not just his undercutting agreements that makes the ROI of time, energy and goodwill in negotiating with Trump a waste.
It's his shape-shifting, proven lies, and cruelty that make any dealings with Trump even more toxic.
Here's hoping that the terrifying joke on the US (and world) ends, sooner rather than later. " Impeach, Article 25, anyone?? ...... anyone??"
95
@Another Canadian
Except the world needs the military power of the US. No one else has the naval force projection capabilities of the US Navy...or wants a carrier showing up on their doorstep.
1
@QED
With Trump threatening to pull out of NATO and who knows what other treaties, who is going to believe that Uncle Sam will come to their rescue if the request is made?
NATO is a mere 70 years old, tried and true.
Trump is trying his very best to deep six it.
Because his puppet master Putin would be pleased, right?
34
I thought a “good deal” was one in which both parties benefitted, essentially the proverbial win-win situation. There are always compromises, but the end result is both parties come away satisfied. With Trump, the only good deal is if he crushes the other party, clearly WINS, at least to his base, and comes away feeling like the smartest guy on the planet.
His constant flip-flopping on deals, undercutting his own negotiators, and low regard for his trading partners will not end well.
And, it goes without saying.... he is not the smartest guy on the planet, or even in his own administration.
159
@Steve In Houston
Trump...the smartest guy on the planet?
It would be hard to appoint anyone with that claim, and CERTAINLY, not Donald Trump.
There are a few things Trump excels at like telling bold faced, provable lies while keeping a straight face, name calling, and manipulating his gullible base. But, Trump being the smartest guy in the room? No. Not even close. Much more likely that at any given moment, in any room, that he is the least intelligent, least articulate, and most dishonorable person present. The one scenario where he has any chance of not being that person would be in one of his cabinet meetings.
25
@Steve In Houston: Yes, there are whole economic theories about how a rational deal is supposed to benefit everybody. Or else, why make a deal at all? But Trump's rhetoric for his base has always been that everyone else is cheating us, and he will put a stop to that. His previous business deals don't tell us much: they didn't involve long term relationships, except that weird kind where he leases out the use of his name to put on your tacky resort. He and his family made a fair amount of money that way, but you can't really call it a business plan.
22
@Keith
I am Canadian Keith and we feel like we got crushed and cheated. We still have US tariffs on our steel and aluminum that hurt both Canada and the United States.
As well, Keith 90% of Canadians profoundly dislike and distrust Donald Trump. Sooner or later there will be payback time for this.
Where do you get your information from? It is as if Trump supporters live in an alternate universe of disinformation and self-denial. The whole world sees through it Keith. It is not very pretty.
24
The US Constitution explicitly gives the power to impose duties and tariffs to the Congress. Trump (and other Presidents) can impose tariffs unilaterally only under powers delegated to the Executive by specific legislation that prescribes particular conditions such as national security threats.
Trump has repeatedly abused that authority - e.g. using national security to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada, our closest and most reliable ally.
Congress should reclaim its responsibility and repeal the laws that delegate tariff powers to the President given that Trump has defied all past norms and practices.
The House should pass a repeal bill, even if if the Senate might not agree - an open question given Republican past views on free trade.
33
Two key concepts: (1) Trump can't concentrate for very long and isn't all that astute so you have a shot at doing well if you can paint it the right way and (2) any rational actor (country) will diversify away from the USA given the current administration and it will take a long time to recover from that. This could be a seminal moment in American history when America walked away from its victorious and commanding role so some guy can claim a win on something small.
47
Perhaps Trump’s unpredictability and changing notions in trade negotiations is related to his ease in lying and contradicting himself. Perhaps he just can’t remember what he previously said.
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@Michael Walther Good point. Also read his father developed Alzheimer's.
2
It seems the term "unpredictable" is really diplomatic code for "unstable".
15
He is one of the worst business people of the century. The Apprentice was not reality—it was a send up. Thanks, NBC and Mark Burnett.
27
This idea of "deal making" appears to be about gamesmanship, constantly moving the goal posts and changing the rules. Recent revelations about Trump's approach to playing golf illustrate his approach to achieving success. Cheating is his preferred shortcut to victory.
It becomes harder and harder to believe that this person is the face that America elected to represent our nation's ideals and interests to the world, and that his toxic talent for inspiring hatred and fear will probably get him elected for a second term.
13
The very White House is transparent as his tax returns. His strength is having the attention span of a humming bird in front of a large mirror, no?
12
"Mr. Trump has argued that this aggressive and unpredictable negotiating style allows him to extract greater economic concessions than past administrations"..... Proof of the success of his negotiating style can be illustrated in that North Korea is no longer a nuclear threat.
5
Another myth of The Donald. His reputation as a deal maker. Trump could not negotiate himself out of a paper bag if he is not in a position to bully the other party. In his business life he has usually been taken to the cleaners and overpaid for properties.
19
Nobody likes a bully and with international trade it may work in the short term but when Trump is finished he may have alienated our trading partners for future deals. There could be payback as the US economy may decline in the future and our trading partners could unite and topple our current leading position . Trump will be retired in Mar-A-Lago living the glitzy life of a billionaire while the rest of us deal with our diminished economic status resulting from the Trump economic crash.
6
We must ensure that Trump does not win in 2020, if only to allow us to resume honest and binding trading agreements with our trading partners. There is no one more ignorant concerning international trade and economics than Donald Trump.
18
What is with the use of strange qualifiers like ‘could undermine’? It had already happened. Trump’s style HAS undermined the United State’ position at the center of global trade. But don’t worry, the Republicans will all in unison blame the next Democratic president for the fact that China will already be leading world trade by the time he or she takes office simply due to Trump’s sheer incompetence as head-of-state, who has objectively proved to all other countries that the US is not a reliable partner.
13
I'm old enough to remember way back when the republicans were constantly claiming that everything President Obama wanted to do would cause uncertainty in the economy. Oh, how times have changed. Up is now down. Black is now white. Good is now bad.
Our trading partners will eventually simply look to other markets because they know they can't trust even one word trump says.
29
Trump is merely killing the goose with the golden eggs.
Our (former?) allies have been giving the US government the benefit of the doubt because of decades worth of trust and cooperation. Of course there’s also inertia, it takes time for other alliances to form.
Let there be no doubt however, that the world is already adapting. China is moving towards a more equal trade deal with the EU, the latter ignoring the US government’s aggressive approach rather than supporting it.
If Trump is re-elected, what is left of the Transatlantic axis will be dead.
8
Trump, The Great Destroyer-in-Chief. Our economic downturn is all-but guaranteed.
"Global trade uncertainty . . . slashed projections for global growth . . . negative effect on investment decisions . . . unpredictable . . . bullying . . . threatening . . . " None of this creates a positive economic environment, none of this is a true economic plan ( P-L-A-N is seems to be a four-letter word in Trump's world).
All of this of this unprovoked by outside events! The result of Trump's very flawed, egotistical, irrational view of the world.
As with our democracy, healthcare, education system, national and international relations, Republican strategist Rick Wilson's book title predicts the outcome of our once-robust economy:
'Everything Trump Touches Dies'.
8
“This administration’s approach to trade is bully, bully, bully,”
This is not true.
There are obvious economic reasons to negotiate and improve trading practices between USA and other countries, which is one of the reason Trump was voted in, never forget that. Due to its size and importance, USA should be able to exert leverage and allow itself some sort of moving goals. Those who do not like it are free to walk away. Do you think they will?
1
@ss They already are. Didn't you read the article?
6
@ss How many votes did he receive and from whom? And what is their understanding of global trade?
3
Playing chicken is not the best strategy. Ever.
8
This man, Trump, an enemy of the state, has to be removed, either by Congress or by vote in 2020.
6
"How much damage can one guy do in 4 years?"
1
@Jane With what he's accomplished in 2 years I would think quite a bit.
2
Since it is quite clear by now to all involved that Trump's trade agreements and his signature aren't worth the paper they are written on, the idea of him having leverage is just a figment of his own imagination, nothing more.
The reality is, despite all of the discussions and Trump's bloviating about his "great deals", most of the agreements in principle or discussions are not even close to being agreed upon, let alone being ratified and implemented. In particular, as it stands now the USMCA that Trump claims is the "greatest trade agreement of all time" and has to be voted on(and confirmed) by all THREE countries governments has yet, to even start being discussed by all three governments involved and it might not be and as mentioned in the column, Canada has recently stated quite unequivocally, the refusal of the American government to remove the steel and aluminum tariffs gives it less than a 50/50 chance of parliamentary approval and Mexico feels much the same way.
After all, what is the point of signing and implementing a free trade agreement with substantial tariffs still in place? That is not "free trade". While the American government hands out BILLIONS in subsidies to those most affected(farmers who voted for Trump), it seems his supporters are not even close to understanding the potential economic catastrophe he is creating.
47
He assumes you can treat a foreign, complex, trade negotiation like you can handle a simplistic real estate deal. They are infinitely more complex than he has dealt with personally and the power is different. The EU is a bigger trade group than the US and China is better able to mandate its positions within China. This strategy will just alienate our smaller allies more and be unsuccessful with the big competitors.
Frankly, I am surprised American business has not tried to strong arm the Senators and Congressmen they own to impeach the guy. I don't see any benefits to them after they got the tax cut as he is destabilizing the stock market and international trade.
Americans should be concerned about how he is destroying our economic future by betting on the stuff he knows - from the 1950s like coal & oil - and being completely out of touch with what the next innovation will bring. Of course, our country has never been as progressive as we think we are, but countries are now getting more explicitly into the act and we are being left behind.
98
And how were we doing before he was elected?
1
@Pragmatist Yes, very good and valid points you make. Apart from some specific business leaders, many of them have the clout and power to confront politicians but have become too "corporate" to stick out their noses. Many are happy to benefit from tax cuts, higher salaries and bonuses but are often quite clueless about how the world outside their home country actually operates.
11
@Edward
suicides were down, over a million more with health care......
Edward, name one policy that is uniquely Trump's (deregulation and the tax cut don't count, as virtually any Republican with a Republican Congress would have done the same) - and provide solid, reliable evidence that that policy has led to positive results.
please don't just name a policy and assert - by correlation - that the policy directly led to such and such a positive result.
1. Name the policy
2. Show the steps - with citations giving reliable evidence - that led from Trump's policy to the positive results.
I've asked over 100 Trump supporters this since the beginning of 2017, and none have been able to come up with a single example.
4
The USMCA is at once much less than it appears and and a great relief to businesses with NAFTA supply chains.
The benefits of USMCA accrue more to Mexico parts manufacturers by blocking Chinese parts with North American content increases. And the $16 an hour labor content floor may end up favoring Canada because of their much lower manufacturing labor costs and devalued currency.
I expect a similar result with any China trade agreement, a continued shift of manufacturing to other Asian countries and greater foreign investment opportunities, but in China, while returning to previous levels of agricultural exports from the US but at lower prices.
7
Trump thinks only in short run transactional terms. Leadership is for the long run.
As China is overtaking the US in GDP, the rest of the world have four choices: join an American led economic system, join a Chinese led economic system, form a multilateral bloc independent of both (perhaps centred on Europe), and or descend into trade without rules or certainty.
Europe is a mess, so rule out a system based on it. China is a neofascist bully, so no one would willingly become entangled with it. Trump-led America no longer reliable or stable, and is also a bully to boot. Chaos may therefore be unavoidable.
27
In Trump's case, all that matters is looking (or sounding) good to his base. This approach has failed to achieve any short term goals with the likely long term outcome even worse for the U.S. How large of an increase have soybean farmers seem over the past 2 years? This is a trick question as the answer is a reduction. Do you think the usual buyers will resume exclusivity or near exclusivity with the US if an agreement with China is reached? The answer will be no, as the buyers will remain diversified to avoid such stupidity in the future. Without a global agreement that protects trade, workers and environment, American and many other workers will be the ultimate losers; such an agreement sounds a lot like the failed TPP.
37
It is not only the bussiness people who are showing deserved dis respect for America,
many nations all over the world start to disregard America as leader of the free world.
All they see is a new form of imperialism for which their is no more place in their country.
America is on a very slippery slope toward becoming irrelevant in the world with their only export being Hate.
58
It seems Trump is doing for the reputation of the U.S. what he did for his own.
People furnishing the sets for the apprentice in NYC found no one wanted to do business with them when they found out who it was for. And Manhattanites voted overwhelmingly against him because they knew him.
How will that translate to the world stage? Hope all those people who thought it would be funny to shake up Washington by voting for him still think it’s funny when we reap what they have sown.
161
JKile, that is perhaps the most extraordinary defining feature of Trumpism: The more his policies make their lives measurably worse, the more vociferously will his supporters blame the Democrats. It’s a perfect, logic-proof feedback loop.
22
@JKile How many successful businessmen have multiple bankruptcies in their background? Or cheat their illegal workers by paying an illegally low wage? Or renege on contracts with other businessmen just because they feel like it? Or sell courses at a fake university? The lessons from his past tell us that Donald Trump’s word is worthless and he is entirely untrustworthy. But he gets to run amok with our trade policies because nearly 63 million people didn’t know or care to know much about his character.
Let’s be clear about Trump being a successful business man. The only thing we know for sure is that he played one on TV. Which is also what he does as POTUS, but not very effectively. (Martin Sheen was much better at that and he didn’t get to choose the White House cast.)
However, we could all be completely wrong about his financial success. Let’s see his tax returns and full business financials and we might learn how much of his wealth is clear of debt and liens.
33
@JKile
It's a terrible shame when foreigners see Trump's psychopathy much more clearly than Republicans. The United States will be a pariah for decades because of Trump and we cannot exist as an unstable island of pathology for long. Trump must go if we are to thrive.
22
Don't business folks always say they want certainty? When will the "business" Republicans realize there is no such thing as certainty with Trump?
114
@lgg
The only certainty with Individual 1 is chaos and reneging on agreed terms.
11
@lgg
He's certainly a corrupt fraud.
8
@lgg. the republicans are stashing as much dough as they can rob from we citizens.
1
Trump's biggest service to trade has been for the benefit of Russia.
Russia is now China's biggest SELLER when it comes to sales of pork, corn, and soy products.
Trump's trade deals look more like a work-around to compensate Russia for his inability to lift sanctions.
PS: No collusion? The Helsinki you say.
140
@Jbugko I think it's more than a coincidence that so many of Trump's action and "deals" benefit Russia while harming our stedfast allies.
13
No one takes him seriously.
They’re aware that they are dealing with a madman, and will bide their time.
97
@Grove - While I completely agree with you, too many in farm country still take him seriously. No matter how bad it gets, they will stick with him, they still believe and admitting they were taken in by Trump simply won't happen. Many will go bankrupt but they stay with him. The current 'reset' of trade is for Trump's benefit only.
10
When Trump leaves office, that negotiating style leaves with it. Everyone assumes that the negotiators for our trading partners are pure and become the victims of the Trump style. As a former insider, these folks are just in shock that they can no longer get away with treating us as stupid schnooks. One of my attorney colleagues who represented the EU always used to say the Europeans laughed at us behind our backs because we negotiated like Boy Scouts, naively giving away the store. And, there is a lot more to this story.
6
Our trading partners are the "victims" of Trump? I think you mean the citizens of the U.S.
The erratic, unhinged look is unfortunately not an act.
7
@Unhappy J
On the contrary, all the countries are laughing even louder(especially Kim Jon Ung)because they clearly understand that Trump words, signature and agreements aren't worth the paper they are written on.
9
We are collateral damage temporarily.
Our trading partners are no better- temporary victim act.
They will never leave us nor can they....their economic dependence on us cements the relationship through thick and right now thin.
We are still the worlds largest open market.
Get a grip, as a former member of the international trade bar, everything is going to be all right. Our economy and world trade are far stronger and less impervious to politics than you
1
He’s employing the same questionable tactics he used in his dealings before he apparently won the 2016 election, if we’re to believe what we’ve heard about refusing to pay tradespeople, shortchanging people, not paying his lawyers, etc.
His MO then apparently was: What will reneging on a contract or outright cheating someone cost me versus how much it will enrich me? What’s the net gain between my win and the penalty I’ll have to pay for my unscrupulousness?
This tactic is working surprisingly well on the world stage—at least so far. But in much the same way as many banks refuse to deal with him, there may be a global reckoning as well.
74
Sure, because businesses are generally successful when they have aggressive, unpredictable and unreliable trading partners...
27
In a world where organization trumps ideals, wherein a bad idea supported by good organization will beat a good idea wit bad organization everytime, our current President's supposed strategy of instinct is simply an irresponsible punt on third down. Lazy at best.
12
"Don't believe a final deal is truly final." As in, backtrack, renege, break the deal every chance you get? Well, that is Trump's "art of the deal" and it's why he has had...what? SIX BANKRUPCIES in his illustrious career! He will bankrupt this country yet with his Tax Scam Giveaways to the wealthiest - note our exploding national deficits and debt! (Of course, Trump's solution is to "print more dollars!") His tariffs are sending companies overseas - Harley Davidson, BMW, etc. His trade wars are creating even greater trade imbalance - which he still cannot understand! He is unbelievably ignorant in all things financial! We are living on very thin financial ice!
60
Trump initiated tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico as emergency measures based on national security. . A reasonable negotiator would not devalue his nation's security as a false trade gambit against his closest allies.
59
@Harpo
True...yet Congress let’s him get away with it. Has even one bill been introduced to clarify what “national security” means, other than “whatever the president thinks it means? It’s current use is an utter joke. Have they made one single effort to restrict the ability of a president to just make all of these calls on his own?
11
I think it is evident that for Trump a good deal is that he is behind it, not what is in it. Scrap a deal made by a Democrat as the worst ever, change a few words and put your chicken scratch signature on it, and it is the best ever. For Trump deals are only to confuse reality and re brand something as his, like the name Trump of buildings he really does not own.
218
@DSS
Bravo! Proof of your theory: Today,Trump advocates simply putting a new name on the disastrous 737 Max airplane, to re-brand it (and hoodwink potential buyers and passengers). Note: he didn't advocate any fixes for the problems.
Ah, "so much winning!"
109
@Kelly
Within the last few days Trump said (or tweeted) that George Washington was foolish to name his estate Mt. Vernon rather using his own name because people will not remember him! Seriously.
35
@DSS
The Democrats would be wise to propose a bill that changes the name of the Affordable Care Act to "The GREATEST and Cheapest Health Care Anybody Ever Saw Act", (Short name: The Donald J. Trump Healthcare Act), pass it, and send it to the Senate for action.
The Republicans would have two choices:
1. Pass it and send it to Donnie for his signature, or
2. Fail to act, or defeat the bill.
If Donnie signs the bill, the problem with the ACA will be solved, because Donnie would never have HIS PERSONAL AG fail to support an act with his name on it.
9