Former US President Donald Trump returned to the White House with a political approach based on pressure and threats. However, friends and opponents internationally seem to have acquired immunity to his practices. From China to the European Union, reactions to its aggressive trade strategy are now more coordinated and resilient.
Trump seeks to impose conditions through tariffs and unilateral actions, believing that the U.S. can force concessions. But developments reveal the limits of this tactic: its trade tariffs provoke reactions, American courts intervene verbally, and the global community resists.
Economic leaders, such as JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, point out that China is no longer afraid of U.S. threats. Former U.S. trade policy chief Catherine Tai points out that countries such as China have adjusted their strategies since the first trade war. The 2020 U.S.-China deal, known as "Phase 1," remained unimplemented, proving the unreliability of Trump's unilateral agreements.
Domestically, even federal judges he appointed are blocking his policies, while major institutions like Harvard are rejecting his interventions. International markets react negatively to the tariff announcements and foreign states respond with their own tariffs, as happened with the European Union, which imposed countermeasures worth 24 billion euros. Dollars.
Strategy professor Dipak Malotra points out that the policy of intimidation is short-sighted and undermines long-term U.S. influence. As he notes, the constant threat and retreat ends up wearing down Washington's credibility, leading to a loss of trust from allies and adversaries.
Trump himself often fails to deliver on his threats – a typical example being the tariff announcements of May and June, which were eventually temporarily frozen. This practice has created the phrase "TACO – Trump Always Chickens Out", which is widely used in investment circles.
Although his approach may rally his electoral base, internationally he seems to have caused more fatigue than submission.
