Brussels’ zero-for-zero tariff offer not enough, U.S. president says, but indicates he’s open to a deal if the bloc commits to closing the trade deficit in goods.
“If we can make a really fair deal and a good deal for the United States, not a good deal for others, this is America first. It’s now America first.”
This is such an insane thing to say and it reveals a lot. Why on earth would anyone enter in to a trade deal, or even negotiations, if the other party only accepts one sided benefits? Any sane actor not under duress will reject any such notions out of hand. A good trade deal benefits both sides. This should be elementary.
Now, I’m no professional, but it looks to me that none of this is about the best interests of the USA or it’s citizens; this is all to serve one man’s ego. Trump’s thinking is so disordered he views any concessions as a narcissistic injury. Anything but complete domination is out of question, since it breaks his carefully cultivated sense of omnipotence, of being the biggest and strongest man in the room. His ego is so fragile it cannot sustain the slightest challenge to the false self. All of this, the trade wars, even becoming the POTUS, it’s all about one thing: trying to silence that nagging voice that tells him he’s worthless. Nothing will ever be enough to quell that inner critic, which is why he always escalates.
There is no room for any deals with this guy and his sycophants. They will just demand more.
I agree. From the article:
This is such an insane thing to say and it reveals a lot. Why on earth would anyone enter in to a trade deal, or even negotiations, if the other party only accepts one sided benefits? Any sane actor not under duress will reject any such notions out of hand. A good trade deal benefits both sides. This should be elementary.
Now, I’m no professional, but it looks to me that none of this is about the best interests of the USA or it’s citizens; this is all to serve one man’s ego. Trump’s thinking is so disordered he views any concessions as a narcissistic injury. Anything but complete domination is out of question, since it breaks his carefully cultivated sense of omnipotence, of being the biggest and strongest man in the room. His ego is so fragile it cannot sustain the slightest challenge to the false self. All of this, the trade wars, even becoming the POTUS, it’s all about one thing: trying to silence that nagging voice that tells him he’s worthless. Nothing will ever be enough to quell that inner critic, which is why he always escalates.
There is no room for any deals with this guy and his sycophants. They will just demand more.
Exactly. That’s why it is so important not to give in to him and instead answer in the only language that guy understands: relentless pressure.