From tariffs to universities, Trump’s negotiating style is often less dealmaking and more coercion
July 13, 2025
President Donald Trump prides himself on being a dealmaker, but his negotiating style is more ultimatum than compromise. This week, he imposed tariffs on trading partners, pressured the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates and launched a new investigation into higher education. Trump defends his tactics as fulfilling campaign promises, but critics say his actions erode democratic institutions and prioritize domination over compromise. Universities have faced funding cuts for refusing to bend to his administration’s demands. Trump has also clashed with the Federal Reserve, urging its chair to resign and threatening its independence. His planned tariffs have disrupted trade talks, raising doubts about U.S. reliability in agreements.
