Portland – A reasonable person can negotiate seriously with the President of the United States.
Today, the man who abolished the agreement he signed in 2020 (After he didn’t like the 1994 agreement (North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA) signed by a previous president?
Are men who change their minds to tariffs every hour so ignorant that they are unaware of the effects of uncertainty on both the goods and the financial markets in the products and the countries he targets, and the fact that changes in tariffs cause deep changes in production and supply chains around the world?
Who would forgive anyone who calls a “patriot” who stormed the US Capitol, claiming that violent demonstrations against Tesla are domestic terrorism, including other crimes?
The man who ordered the assassination of the top enemy general (Soleimani) in foreign (Iraq)?
The man who has signed with Russia, China, the UK, France, Germany and the European Union, abolishing the contract that it ratified by the UN Security Council (a joint comprehensive plan of action also known as Iran’s nuclear deal) will you threaten you if you do not come to the table and sign it?
Whoever threatens the enemy of Israel (Hamas) in hell, what if it doesn’t follow his demands?
Men threatening to take over something that the US doesn’t own – Greenland, Panama, Canada, Gaza – if necessary, and sometimes as necessary?
A man who claims that Ukraine began a war with Russia after Russia bombed and invaded Ukraine and previously annexed western Ukraine and its part of its Crimea?
The man who cut off intelligence from Ukraine’s US allies in the midst of war?
In return for the contributions of the massive campaign, the man who handed over many of the US domestic and foreign policy initiatives to two financial donors (Musku and Adelson)?
A man in the process of ousting out legal American residents (green card owners) married to American citizens, simply because he organized demonstrations at major universities and opposed Israel’s ongoing war and the destruction of Gaza?
Therefore, such an agreement with the President is not worth the paper it is written in.
President Trump’s best hope for countries chosen for “negotiations” to “be ready for bullying and tor” is united with the countries that were similarly targeted, refusing to negotiate unless Trump halts his threat and agrees that there is a final agreement ratified by the US Senate.
In a New York Times column on March 13th, David Brooks summed up Trump’s threats and the rampage of the Tor and its impact.
“Trump’s incompetence will raise objections. This proves to be opportunity and rebirth. When that happens, people are ready to hear the truth that Trump never understands. Turning America into a vast tor machine will give us a short-term victory as weak forces bend to gangsterism, but at home and abroad, it actually burns the relationships that are America’s long-term source.”
Ayatollah Khamenei learned his lessons well. Bravo. There’s no point in negotiating or signing contracts with men like President Trump!
Hossein Askari is Professor Emeritus of Business and International Affairs at George Washington University