Washington (AP) – Donald Trumpthe real estate developer has become commander and bares his diplomatic style in the early weeks of his new term. It’s like a high stakes business deal, and his first goal is to get out of the top deal.
The tactics are clear in him Brewing trade war Canada and Mexico approach Russia’s Ukrainian War And in his first country choice, he visits in his second term.
“President Trump is approaching diplomacy and is a very traded way, and economics is the foundation and driving force behind international affairs.” Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, The president’s envoy to Ukraine and Russia explained at an event held in Washington last week.
For Trump, it’s about leverage, not friendship. Dollars equal to their value. And hard power and soft.
It’s not just a matter of negotiating styles. The post-World War II international order is at stake as Trump’s actions raise questions about American leaders around the world.
He shapes a more inwardly and conscious foreign policy, dismissing American soft power levers such as: US International Development Organization As I’m suspicious and suffered from waste And suggests the US You may not defend fellow NATO members It does not meet the defensive spending benchmark set by the alliance.
Politics and the president are all trades. But Trump, who helped praise himself by honing his image as a brave real estate deal maker, takes it to another level as he navigates an increasingly complex world.
The Republican president saw every transaction as a clear winner and loser in his previous life as a real estate Titan. When I returned to the White House, he injects my approach to his dealings with both friends and enemies more clearly.
Money talks
Edward Franz, an historian at the University of Indianapolis who studied the American presidency, said Trump’s “ledger” approach may not be the most practical way to do diplomacy.
Franz said that baby boomer and soccer fan Trump (78) appears to be inspired by foreign policy making in the spirit of legendary professional football coach Vince Lombardi. That’s the only thing. ”
“But diplomacy may be similar to football, especially in a more complicated world,” Franz said. “You sometimes need a tie. Sometimes you need to survive and move on.”
Trump told reporters Thursday that he decided to make Saudi Arabia the first overseas visit of his new term as the oil-rich kingdom agreed to make a big investment in the US over the next four years.
“They’re richer, we’re all older, so I said, ‘If you pay a trillion dollars, a trillion dollars to American businesses, I’ll go,'” Trump said. He also put the kingdom into his first overseas suspension during his first White House term after Saudi Arabia promised $450 billion in US investments.
Trump has admitted that one of America’s oldest allies, Britain, was traditionally the first stop for the US president. But money talks.
Those who have “cards” are important to playing cards
In dealing with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Russian President Vladimir PutinTrump is very focused on who has leverage. Putin has a “card,” and Zelensky isn’t, Trump repeatedly said.
Zelensky appears to have made some progress after the recent rocky office criticized Ukrainian leaders for inadequate appreciation for the US support provided in the three years since Russia invaded Russia, and then with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Zelenskyy later said how the meeting went down. “disappointing.” He also made it clear that he is ready to sign off to a mineral trade with the United States without the explicit US security guarantees that Ukrainians want.
In him Tuesday address Before the Congressional joint session, Trump acknowledged his efforts to correct Zelensky’s fence. Trump has also announced plans to send top advisors to Saudi Arabia this week for talks with Ukrainian officials.
But soon Trump went back to criticizing Zelensky, saying he had no leverage to continue fighting the war with Russia.
“Frankly, I find it more difficult to deal with Ukraine. They don’t have cards,” Trump said. “It’s amazing because you have all the cards in terms of getting a final settlement.”
Trump leaves our longstanding skepticism about Russia
Trump’s push against Zelensky and the pivot to Moscow shows a significant departure from traditional US foreign policy towards Russia since the Cold War.
Others before Trump, including Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, have tried to reset with Russia, but perhaps not at one point. Deep skepticism about Moscow was a standard management stance in both Republican and Democratic administrations, even at the best moments of relations.
But running with the promise to end the war soon, Trump has changed from Democratic President Joe Biden’s approach to making key decisions that could affect Ukraine without Kiev’s involvement.
At the same time, the new Republican administration has taken steps towards a more cooperative line with Putin, where Trump has long praised him.
Trump ordered a suspension of US military aid and sharing information with Kiev. Offensive cyber expansion has been stopped against Russia through US cyber command The program has been disbanded The aim is to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs as a way to punish Kremlin invasion.
I’m keeping an eye on ledgers
Kellogg, who also worked at Trump’s first White House, recalls seeing Trump’s “trade diplomacy approach” early in his first semester. Kellogg said the president’s first questions at meetings with foreign leaders are often the same.
“I first spotted the foreign officials in the cabinet room when they came in, so the comment was, ‘What is the imbalance in trade between our two countries?”, recalled Kellogg, speaking at the Foreign Relations Council.
Trump’s trade ledger has the best heart for Trump as he claims America has been played by friends and enemies, including Canada’s neighbours and Mexico.
Last week, Trump announced 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada. A broader trade war. He then postponed most of them.
The White House argues that the pending tariff is to stop the smuggling of fentanyl. Trump has also suggested that tariffs could be resolved by correcting the trade deficit.
The president on Friday returned to Canadian outlook, but this time he complained about the policies he said were hurting American dairy farmers and the timber industry. He said he will act immediately for the ledger along with Canada through mutual tariffs.
“Canada has been torn us apart with wood and dairy products for years,” Trump said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Trump has downplayed as America’s 51st governor, but that his country will not retreat from Trump’s trade war.
This episode highlights Trump’s willingness to embrace hard power to resolve differences, even when it means testing the world most Durable and friendly alliance.
Trudeau on the left in the center was so confused by Trump’s move that he found himself cited the sharply conservative Wall Street Journal editorial page to insist that this fight was unnecessary.
“It’s not my habit to agree to the Wall Street Journal,” Trudeau said. “But Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very clever person, this is a very stupid thing.”
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Associated Press White House correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
