In the initial weeks of his new term, Donald Trump, the real estate mogul turned U.S. President, is showcasing his unique approach to diplomacy. Much like a high-stakes business transaction, his primary aim is to emerge victorious in every deal. This strategy is prominently displayed in his emerging trade conflicts with Canada and Mexico, his handling of the Ukrainian and Russian conflict, and the decision for his first international visit in his second term.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who serves as Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, discussed this approach at a recent event in Washington. He described Trump’s diplomatic style as transactional, heavily grounded in economic interests that shape international relations. In Trump’s view, leverage supersedes camaraderie, focusing on financial gains and hard power instead of traditional diplomatic values and soft power.
This transactional strategy by Trump challenges the global post-World War II order, as it casts doubts on America’s role as a global leader and its historical commitment to alliances. Trump is carving out a foreign policy that looks inward, valuing financial calculations over international partnerships, which is exemplified by his skepticism toward U.S. soft-power initiatives and his stance on NATO defense spending.
While politics often involves transactional dealings, Trump elevates this approach, drawing from his real estate background where deals unequivocally produced winners and losers. As president, he applies a personal lens of benefit to international relations, even with longstanding allies.
Edward Frantz, an expert on the American presidency from the University of Indianapolis, noted that Trump’s “ledger” method might not be the most effective way to handle diplomacy. Frantz remarked that Trump’s competitive spirit, akin to the philosophy of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, seems ill-fitted for the complexities of global diplomacy that sometimes demand compromise.
On Thursday, Trump announced Saudi Arabia as his first international stop, attributing the decision to a significant investment the kingdom plans to make in the United States over the coming years. Echoing his first term, when he visited Saudi Arabia after obtaining lucrative investment promises, Trump highlighted this financial aspect as a primary motive over traditional diplomatic routes.
In the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Ukraine and Russia, Trump’s focus has been on strategic advantage. He frequently comments on Russian President Vladimir Putin holding “the cards,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not. Despite recent efforts by Zelenskyy to improve relations after a tense meeting, Trump maintains that leverage lies with Russia.
Trump’s strategy marks a significant shift from traditional U.S. policy towards Russia, which has historically been characterized by caution and skepticism. Where previous administrations sought resets with Moscow, Trump diverges, prioritizing swift conflict resolution and adopting a more accommodating stance toward Putin.
Within this framework, Trump has paused military assistance and intelligence support to Ukraine and halted cyber offenses against Russia, aiming for a more cooperative relationship with Putin’s administration.
Kellogg recounted how Trump’s transactional diplomacy has consistently focused on trade balances, seeing financial imbalance as pivotal to international relations. This view surfaces in Trump’s trade policies, including recent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, initially justified as a means to combat fentanyl smuggling, but also hinting at broader economic motivations.
Trump has criticized Canada for harming U.S. dairy and lumber industries, signaling potential reciprocal tariffs to rectify perceived trade imbalances. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, although challenged by Trump’s hardline tactics, stood firm, defending Canada against the trade threats.
Trump’s readiness to employ forceful measures, risking strained relations with close allies, highlights his distinct style that prefers clear advantage over diplomacy. Even Trudeau, usually misaligned with the Wall Street Journal’s editorial stance, found himself citing the publication to argue against Trump’s trade approach.
