Trump's "Art of the Deal" hits new hurdles
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President Trump's global dealmaking blitz is facing new obstacles, with early optimism eclipsed by broken ceasefires, pissed-off allies and thinning patience at home and abroad.
Why it matters: Ten weeks isn't a long time in foreign policy. But it was Trump who promised instant results — and Trump whose "Art of the Deal" credentials are at risk if chaos consumes his early presidency.
Zoom in: Nothing has redefined America's relationship with the world like Trump's plans for sweeping tariffs, which will come to a head on Wednesday — or what he calls "Liberation Day."
- Leaders all over the world are seeking last-minute deals to avoid tariffs, while lamenting that Trump hasn't actually made clear what they could do to placate him.
- So instead, they're vowing retaliation — setting the stage for a massive global trade war that could plunge the U.S. and other countries into a recession.
"The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over," said new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The big picture: Trump is barely 70 days into his term. He's scored early victories in getting Latin American countries to cooperate on deportation flights, including a high-profile prison deal with El Salvador.
- And he may still clinch peace pacts for Ukraine and Gaza, or win major concessions on trade from China or the EU.
White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston said: "President Trump is the master dealmaker, and in just two months, he has made more progress than Joe Biden did in years. Since President Trump's return to office, foreign leaders have flocked to the White House, announcing historic investments and restoring America's dominance on the world stage."
But on at least five fronts, Trump's ambitions for big international deals are hitting early hurdles:
1. On Ukraine, Trump campaigned on securing a deal to end the fighting within 24 hours — though now he claims that promise was "a little bit sarcastic."
- Trump did get Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, and to agree to stop bombing each other's energy infrastructure. But Russian President Vladimir Putin has cast doubt on the possibility of a peace deal any time soon.
- Trump said Sunday he was "pissed off" at Putin for his recent comments, and threatened additional oil tariffs if Moscow continues to stand in the way of a full ceasefire.
- He also fired a warning shot at Ukraine, after President Volodymyr Zelensky complained that the minerals deal Kyiv negotiated with the U.S. is "constantly changing."
2. On Gaza, Trump helped deliver a breakthrough before even taking office when his team worked with the outgoing Biden administration to secure a ceasefire.
- That truce is now over, and Israel on Monday announced it would massively expand its renewed ground operation in Gaza.
- Trump isn't actively pursuing his own proposal for the U.S. to displace Gaza's population to construct a new "Riviera." Instead, he's focusing on restarting talks to restore the ceasefire and free the remaining 59 hostages, Axios' Barak Ravid reports. Israeli and U.S. officials believe 22 of them are still alive.
3. On Iran, Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Tehran agree to a new nuclear deal within two months or face potential military strikes. That's led to further threats from both sides.
- Iranian leaders have rejected the idea of direct negotiations with the Trump administration, but left open the possibility of indirect talks.
- "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," Trump told NBC on Sunday.
4. On Greenland, Trump continues to insist that the U.S. "needs" to obtain the autonomous Danish territory, perhaps by military force.
- Vice President Vance laid out one path to a deal last week: Greenland votes for independence from Denmark, then signs a security pact with the U.S.
- The island's new prime minister announced a new coalition last week in part to unite against U.S. pressure.
5. On tariffs, it's unclear if Trump is actually using them as leverage to cut deals — as Wall Street once assumed — or if he wants the levies in place long-term.
- Blue chip companies have announced billions of dollars of investments in the U.S. to try to preempt the tariffs and get on Trump's good side — Exhibit A for why Republicans remain optimistic about his trade strategy.
- But countries uncertain of how to protect themselves from Trump's economic wrath are starting to look elsewhere.
In an extraordinary sign of how Trump's hardball tactics are reshaping the world, China, South Korea and Japan — three countries with deep historical grievances — agreed to respond jointly to U.S. tariffs, according to Chinese state media.
