As Donald Trump’s tariff play against Mexico and Canada continues to unfold, it’s important for the president to remember his own most famous concept — “The Art of the Deal.”
That is, he needs to have some clear, strategic end state in view. And some specific demands foreign leaders will realistically meet, given the pressure he’s applying.
That means it can’t just be vae-victis-style total capitulation.
Yes, Trump’s gotten some good results by playing superpower.
Witness the agreement he and lefty Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reached Monday, under which Sheinbaum agreed to send 10,000 troops to the border to crack down on fentanyl and illegal migrant flows.
That agreement pushed off 25% tariffs on Mexico for one month.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced a deal to push off tariffs for a month in exchange for beefed up security on America’s northern border and closer cooperation with US officials in controlling drugs trafficking.
That’s all great. But what happens in a month?
What if Trump and Sheinbaum or Trudeau butt heads after the clock runs out?
Exerting America’s considerable power certainly can be effective: Look at the recent successes not just with Canada and Mexico but also in Colombia, and just this weekend, Panama and Venezuela.
Venezuela has now agreed to take back violent illegal Venezuelan migrant deportees (including members of Tren de Aragua) and freed six Americans detained by the Maduro regime.
The leftist dictator exacted no longer-term concessions over the deal — something unthinkable under Biden, who specialized in giving away the store to our worst enemies.
In Panama, Secretary of State Marco Rubio convinced President José Raúl Mulino to scrap a memo of understanding on joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
That was a double win for America: a policy victory in our near abroad and a clear signal to Xi Jinping that the White House is going to strongly contest his plans for global hegemony.
Yes, Trump’s tariff strategy might work, too, but it’s a big risk: Even Trump himself warned Americans of possible pain to come, claiming the risks “will all be worth it.”
Failure would include higher prices for already suffering Americans.
And punishment for Trump in the polls.
So for his own sake and the nation’s, the prez mustn’t lose sight of the big picture.
No matter how satisfying it may be to slam leaders who harm our interests.
