In the Context of Escalating US-China Trade War, Trump’s High Tariff Policies Draw Attention
As the US-China trade war continues to escalate and global markets remain turbulent, President Donald Trump has once again attracted attention with a series of high tariff policies. However, to understand the logic behind these decisions, one may not need a degree in economics, but rather an old book from 1987 — The Art of the Deal. This book, signed by Trump but actually ghostwritten by journalist Tony Schwartz, not only details Trump’s background and real estate dealings but also contains many insights into his business and negotiation philosophies. Business Insider has extracted the following six viewpoints from the book, which may help us gain a clearer understanding of Trump’s tariff strategy.
1. “I set very high goals and then keep pushing to reach them”
In The Art of the Deal, Trump mentions his business motto: “I set very high goals and then keep pushing until I achieve them.” This strategy mirrors his recent tariff actions against China. Although he announced a 90-day pause on tariffs against multiple countries shortly thereafter, causing a surge in US stock markets, he initially launched a strong offensive against China with tariffs raised to 145%, significantly higher than expected. His tariffs of 20% on the EU and as high as 46% on Vietnam also illustrate his approach of “strike hard first and see the results later,” as stated in the book.
2. “I don’t trust number experts or fancy market research”
Trump has always been skeptical of traditional economic advice. He states in the book: “I don’t hire a bunch of number crunchers, and I don’t believe in fancy market research reports. I observe and draw my own conclusions.” This has been reaffirmed by his recent policy announcements. Even when several billionaires, including close advisor Elon Musk, expressed concerns about his tariff policy, he remained steadfast in his views. Even when the market experienced extreme volatility, he ultimately chose to delay additional tariffs for 90 days, claiming it was “the best judgment based on intuition.” When faced with media questions, he even stated, “We are putting our heart into writing these policies.”
3. “If the outcome is good, everything is good”
The Art of the Deal discusses his long-term litigation with residents at 100 Central Park South in New York. He initially planned to demolish the building, but the residents ultimately retained their homes. He believes that the delay in litigation allowed him to earn more because of rising market prices. This “everything will be fine” mentality also applies to his tariff negotiation strategy. Despite market turmoil and ongoing public criticism, he still called for calm on Truth Social, stating, “Take it easy! Everything will be resolved smoothly.” He even remarked, “The bond market is super awesome right now!” — indicating his belief that results will prove everything.
4. “We win by exhausting our opponent’s patience”
When discussing negotiations with competitors, Trump candidly states in the book: “In the end, we win because we stick it out until the opponent gets tired and walks away.” He now claims similar victories in the tariff war, stating that over 75 countries have proactively contacted him to initiate negotiations. This “exhausting the opponent” strategy gives him the confidence that he still holds the upper hand.
5. He has a greater affinity for “tangible things”
The Art of the Deal extensively describes the worlds of buildings, hotels, and reinforced concrete. Trump has a particular fondness for physical assets, which aligns with his recent emphasis on “Made in America” and revitalizing factory jobs. When announcing tariff policies, he stated, “Jobs and factories will once again return to our country with great vigor.” Even when he later shifted to discussing changes in the bond market, his focus on “Main Street” rather than “Wall Street” has long been ingrained in his economic thinking.
6. Criticizing the media but knowing how to leverage it
In the book, Trump frequently criticizes the media for being unfair to him, even publicly writing letters in response to architectural critics. However, he also understands the immense benefits of media exposure for branding and reputation. “From a business perspective, the benefits of being reported on far outweigh the negatives,” he writes. This explains why his tariff strategy, despite attracting considerable criticism, still dominates news headlines. His press secretary even sarcastically remarked to reporters, “You haven’t read The Art of the Deal, have you?”
Understanding New Tariff Policies Through an Old Book
Trump’s tariff strategy may seem chaotic and full of contradictions, but viewed through the lens of The Art of the Deal, it actually reveals a consistent logic and style. From “setting high goals and sticking it out,” “making decisions based on intuition,” to “leveraging the media” and “focusing on the real economy,” each of his actions seems to be preordained in the text. Perhaps we don’t need a degree in economics to understand Trump’s political maneuvers and economic strategies through this nearly 40-year-old book.
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