The director of human resources of a company calls an employee’s office to inform them that they are being let go. The employee reacts emotionally, claiming they will not accept the decision without a fight. However, after returning home and reflecting on the situation, the employee realizes they have limited options and may have to accept unfavorable terms to keep their job. In this case, the human resources director offers the employee a chance to stay with the company, but with a 30% salary reduction. The employee agrees, thinking they have won, but in reality, they have lost.
This scenario is similar to the tactics being used by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in his approach to negotiations. Trump is known for using aggressive negotiation techniques, where he makes extreme demands and applies pressure to get what he wants. This approach is often referred to as the “Chicken Game,” where two parties engage in a high-stakes game of chicken, and the one who backs down first loses.
Trump’s strategy is to be the one who gives the first blow, making his opponents scared and more likely to accept unfavorable terms. This approach has been successful for him in the past, and he continues to use it in his dealings with other countries and leaders. As the famous boxer Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Trump is clear that he wants to be the one throwing the first punch.
The results of Trump’s strategy are evident in his dealings with various countries and leaders. For example, the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, was forced to back down after Trump threatened to impose a 25% tax on Colombian products. Similarly, Panama agreed to prioritize US ships over Chinese ones after Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, threatened to take action.
Other countries, such as Greenland and NATO member states, have also been subject to Trump’s aggressive negotiation tactics. In the case of Greenland, Trump’s threat to take control of the territory led to Denmark granting more autonomy to the local authorities. NATO countries, on the other hand, have been pressured to increase their contributions to the alliance, with Trump threatening to leave them undefended in case of an attack.
Canada and Mexico have also been affected by Trump’s trade wars, with both countries being forced to make concessions to avoid tariffs and other trade restrictions. However, Trump’s true goal is not to impose these restrictions but to force Mexico and Canada to control their borders and prevent the entry of fentanyl.
Trump’s most challenging opponents are likely to be China and the Palestinians. China is a significant trading partner, and the ongoing trade war between the two countries is complex and challenging to resolve. The situation in Gaza is also complicated, with Trump’s proposal to turn the region into a “Mediterranean Riviera” being met with widespread rejection. Despite these challenges, few doubt that Trump will eventually get something in return for his efforts.