WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump, the former real estate mogul now serving as president, is revealing his diplomatic style in the early stages of his new term: It resembles a high-stakes business transaction, with his primary objective being to emerge as the victor. This strategy is evident in his brewing trade disputes with Canada and Mexico, his handling of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, and his choice of the first country to visit in his second term.
According to retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, the president’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Trump approaches diplomacy in a transactional manner, prioritizing economics as the foundation and driving force behind international relations. His focus is on leverage rather than building friendships, on financial considerations as much as ethical values, and on hard power over soft power.
The implications go beyond mere negotiating tactics, as Trump’s actions are raising concerns about American leadership on the global stage and challenging the post-World War II international order. He is shaping a foreign policy that is more introspective, emphasizing the bottom line, questioning the effectiveness of American soft-power tools like the U.S. Agency for International Development, and suggesting reluctance to defend NATO allies who fail to meet defense spending targets set by the alliance.
While politics and presidents have always involved transactions to some extent, Trump, known for his dealmaking prowess in the real estate world, is taking this approach to a new level as he navigates the complexities of today’s world. His worldview sees every interaction as a win-lose scenario, where clear winners and losers emerge.
Edward Frantz, a historian at the University of Indianapolis specializing in the American presidency, notes that Trump’s profit-driven approach may not be the most effective way to conduct diplomacy. Drawing a comparison to legendary football coach Vince Lombardi’s “winning is everything” philosophy, Frantz suggests that diplomacy, much like soccer, sometimes requires compromises and cooperation rather than a strict win-at-all-costs mentality.
Trump recently announced that Saudi Arabia would be his first foreign visit of his new term, citing the kingdom’s commitment to investing a trillion dollars in the United States over the next four years. This decision underscores Trump’s transactional approach, prioritizing financial benefits over traditional diplomatic considerations. Despite the historical precedence of U.S. presidents visiting the United Kingdom first, Trump emphasizes the importance of financial contributions in his decision-making.
In his interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump has emphasized the importance of leverage. Trump has repeatedly highlighted Putin as holding “the cards” in the relationship, while suggesting that Zelenskyy lacks similar negotiating power.
Tensions remain high as efforts to mend relations between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy following their recent strained meeting in the Oval Office. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for the billions of dollars in U.S. aid provided since Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy later expressed regret over the meeting and indicated willingness to proceed with a minerals deal with the U.S., even without the security guarantees sought by Ukraine.
During his address to Congress, Trump acknowledged Zelenskyy’s attempts at reconciliation and announced plans for advisers to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. However, Trump resumed criticism of Zelenskyy, questioning Ukraine’s ability to continue the conflict with Russia. This shift towards Moscow and away from traditional U.S. skepticism towards Russia represents a significant departure from past foreign policies.
Trump’s approach, contrary to Biden’s, emphasizes quick resolution of the conflict and a more cooperative stance towards Russian President Putin. This has led to a halt in military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, as well as the suspension of cyberoperations against Russia and a program targeting Russian oligarchs.
The president’s emphasis on trade imbalances further complicates relations, with tariffs imposed on imports from Mexico and Canada. Trump’s transactional diplomacy approach prioritizes addressing trade deficits and protecting American interests, with ongoing scrutiny on trade policies affecting various sectors, including dairy farming.
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The tension between the United States and Canada has escalated over trade disputes, particularly in the lumber and dairy industries. President Trump has expressed his intention to address these issues by imposing reciprocal tariffs on Canadian imports. He accused Canada of taking advantage of the US for years.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that his country will not back down from the trade war initiated by Trump. This situation highlights Trump’s readiness to use strong measures in resolving disagreements, even at the risk of straining a long-standing friendly alliance.
Trudeau, known for his center-left stance, was surprised by Trump’s actions, going as far as citing the conservative Wall Street Journal to criticize the unnecessary trade conflict. Despite their differences, Trudeau acknowledged the Journal’s view that Trump’s approach was unwise.
This report includes contributions from AP White House correspondent Zeke Miller.
