‘The Art of the Deal’ meets global reality

Former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House was meant to mark the comeback of his bold, transactional style. Inspired by the swagger and speed of The Art of the Deal, Trump aimed to flood his second term with wins. But this time, the world isn’t playing along.

Trump softened his stance on China, delayed tariffs on other countries, and voiced growing frustration over the war in Ukraine — a conflict he once claimed he could end in 24 hours. But unlike building casinos or buying condos, peace talks and global trade take more than a phone call and a threat.

Pressure Points and Power Plays

Trump has used his executive power to apply pressure in familiar ways. He dangled government funds and security clearances to extract concessions from law firms and universities. In one case, Apple won a tariff exemption for iPhones after CEO Tim Cook spoke directly with Trump. These moves echo his corporate tactics — fast, forceful, and built around leverage.

But foreign leaders aren’t as pliable. China rejected his pressure campaign. Ukraine resisted demands for a U.S.-drafted peace plan that would compromise its sovereignty. And the rest of the world isn’t rushing to make deals either.

"From China’s point of view, this is how they hoped it would play out," said Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. "It looks to be the United States that is backing down."

The China Dilemma

Trump’s China policy took a major shift this week. After threatening 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, he hinted at backing off. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described a “two- to three-year timeline” to rebalance U.S.-China trade — not the quick fix Trump had promised.

Beijing wasn’t surprised. Its diplomats emphasized mutual respect and criticized the U.S. for combining threats with demands.

“Stop threatening and blackmailing China,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. “It simply will not work.”

A Pew Research poll showed Trump’s approval rating down 7 points since February. Meanwhile, CEOs warned that high tariffs would disrupt supply chains and crush American retirement accounts. The White House now claims investment is flooding in, but few deals have been finalized.

Ukraine Pushes Back

Ukraine is also resisting. President Volodymyr Zelensky refused to sign a proposed peace deal that aligns with Russian goals. Trump responded on social media, saying Zelensky “has no cards to play” and should “GET IT DONE.”

But giving up Crimea would require changes to Ukraine’s constitution and support from Parliament. That’s politically impossible, said Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine. “Surrendering Ukrainian territory will never be ratified by the Ukrainian people.”

Trump continues to believe Putin is ready to deal. But there’s little sign the Russian leader is willing to make concessions. Instead, Trump’s pressure on Ukraine coincides with U.S. interest in its rare earth minerals — raising fears of economic exploitation.

The Myth of the Master Dealmaker

Trump still talks about his “great relationship” with China’s President Xi Jinping. But Xi doesn’t negotiate by phone. China’s leaders prefer formal talks, not grandstanding. And the trade war’s damage to U.S. markets has made Republicans nervous ahead of midterms.

Trump's signature approach — treating diplomacy like a high-stakes business negotiation — is being tested by realities he cannot bulldoze. The deals he promised have not materialized. And as foreign leaders hold their ground, the world is watching to see if Trump still has the touch.

“Deals are my art form,” Trump once wrote. But this time, the canvas might be fighting back.