- Trump has backed down from his 145% tariff threat on Chinese goods
- China refused to be pressured into trade negotiations
- Trump is losing patience with Ukraine's President Zelensky
- The president expected quick deals but faces complex global realities
- Stock markets responded negatively to tariff threats
- Trump's approval rating has dropped to 40%
- White House now suggests a 2-3 year timeline for China trade rebalancing
Trump's Dealmaking Struggles on the Global Stage
President Trump started his second term hoping to make quick deals like in his book "The Art of the Deal." But real life is proving harder than the book. He's now backing down on his China tariffs and getting mad at Ukraine for not taking his peace deal.
Trump thought he could handle world problems like he handled real estate deals. He's found out that countries don't work like businesses. China won't be bullied, and Ukraine won't give up its land easily.
The president has had some wins using his power against American groups. He got law firms to change by threatening their security clearances. He pushed universities around with money threats. But when he tries these tricks with other countries, they don't always work.
His phone call with Apple CEO Tim Cook led to special treatment for iPhones in the tariff war. But China's President Xi Jinping doesn't do business by phone call. And Ukraine's President Zelensky can't just sign away parts of his country because Trump wants him to.
Stock markets tumbled as investors worried about Trump's trade policies. This market reaction may have pushed Trump to change his approach.
China Stands Firm Against Trump's Tariff Threats
China didn't back down when Trump threatened 145% tariffs on their goods. They pushed back hard, and now Trump is the one changing his tune. He's now saying he won't play "hardball" with President Xi.
Chinese leaders don't like being embarrassed in public. They prefer slow, careful talks before presidents meet. Trump's demand for a quick phone call with Xi showed he doesn't understand how China works.
"If a negotiated solution is truly what the US wants, it should stop threatening and blackmailing China and seek dialogue based on equality, respect and mutual benefit," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday.
The truth is China is now a superpower. They can hurt America as much as America can hurt them. Richard Haass from the Council on Foreign Relations said: "I think the Chinese are going to feel vindicated. We imposed tariffs on China; China pushed back with large tariffs of their own. It looks to be the United States that is backing down."
Trump learned a hard lesson - the warnings of economic fallout became too real to ignore.
Political and Economic Pressure Forces a Change
Trump's tariff threats caused problems at home. Stock markets went down, hurting Americans' retirement accounts. Business leaders warned about supply problems if the tariffs stayed high. And a new poll shows Trump's approval rating has dropped to 40%, down 7 points since February.
Republican lawmakers are worried about next year's elections. They don't want angry voters who lost money in their 401(k) plans because of Trump's trade war.
The White House met with CEOs who warned about supply chain problems and shortages if China tariffs stay high. Trump is learning that global trade is more complicated than selling condos. Making one group happy often makes another group angry.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent now says fixing trade with China could take 2-3 years - much longer than Trump's promise of quick deals.
The stock market reaction to tariffs has been a wake-up call for the administration. Trump even paused tariffs on dozens of countries earlier this month when he saw problems in the bond market.
Trump's Ukraine Frustrations Grow
Trump is also getting frustrated with Ukraine. He promised to end the war in 24 hours, but months have passed with no deal. Now he's blaming Ukraine's President Zelensky for not accepting U.S. terms.
"The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We are very close to a Deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE."
The peace deal Trump wants would recognize Russian control over Crimea. But Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, explained why this is impossible for Zelensky: "The only way it can be done is through a change of Ukrainian constitution, and to get that done, referendums need to take place; the Ukrainian Parliament has to approve this amendment to the constitution."
Trump's team has met often with Putin, leading some to worry that the deal favors Russia too much. Critics say Trump's plan to exploit Ukraine's rare earth minerals looks like taking advantage of a country at war.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president's "patience is running very thin" with Ukraine. Trump seems more sympathetic to Putin than to Zelensky, saying "I think Russia is ready. I think we have a deal with Russia."
Paris peace talks continue, but Trump's frustration suggests he expected easier victories.
The Mythology of Trump as Dealmaker
Trump's political appeal rests partly on his image as a master dealmaker. In "The Art of the Deal," he wrote that while others paint or write poetry, "deals are my art form." Now people are wondering if he's lost his touch.
The reality of international relations is proving more complex than Trump expected. Real trade deals often take years to complete. They require painful political compromises that affect powerful interest groups in each country.
Trump still believes his "great relationship" with Xi will unlock a deal quickly. But China seems willing to wait him out, knowing that political pressure in America might force Trump to compromise.
Some Trump supporters still have faith in his negotiating skills. Former Trump adviser Stephen Moore told CNN: "Trump is an incredibly strategic negotiator. He's the best there is. Eventually... they (China) will come to the negotiating table."
Trump's call on the Sumy missile strike as a "mistake" shows his tendency to excuse Russian actions while demanding concessions from Ukraine.
How Tariffs Impact American Consumers and Businesses
Tariffs might sound good when politicians talk about being tough on other countries. But in real life, they often hurt Americans too. When Trump puts tariffs on Chinese goods, American consumers usually end up paying higher prices.
Businesses that rely on parts from China face higher costs. They either raise prices for customers or cut their profits. Some companies move production to other countries, which takes time and costs money.
The White House likes to show lists of foreign investments coming to America. But experts wonder if these companies are just trying to make Trump happy with flashy headlines rather than making real changes to trade patterns.
Trump's tariffs impact low-cost tech especially hard, as many electronic products depend on Chinese manufacturing.
When Trump first threatened high tariffs on China, markets panicked. The Dow Jones dropped sharply. Bond markets showed warning signs. This reaction forced Trump to pause his tariff plans on many countries.
Fed Chair Powell issued strong warnings about the economic risks of trade wars, though the administration has downplayed these concerns.
Technology Sector Feels the Strain
Tech companies have been hit hard by trade tensions. Nvidia took a $55 billion hit from U.S. policies related to China. Apple got special treatment for iPhones after CEO Tim Cook spoke directly with Trump.
Tech supply chains are global and complex. A phone might have parts from a dozen countries. Tariffs make these supply chains more expensive and complicated.
Many tech companies have warned the White House about the impact of trade wars. They worry about higher prices for consumers and losing access to the huge Chinese market.
Trump's special treatment for Apple shows how his policies can be inconsistent. Some companies get breaks while others suffer under the same policies.
Microsoft's new AI agents and other tech innovations could be affected by continued trade tensions, as AI development often depends on global cooperation and supply chains.
OpenAI's API for ChatGPT's image generation and Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash represent American tech leadership that could be undermined by prolonged trade conflicts.
Global Implications Beyond China and Ukraine
Trump's approach to China and Ukraine affects America's standing in the world. Other countries watch how the U.S. treats both allies and rivals.
When Trump pressures Ukraine to accept terms that favor Russia, other U.S. allies worry they could be abandoned too. When he starts and then backs down from trade fights, countries might question American resolve.
The president has taken similar strong-arm approaches to other issues. He proposed moving Gaza's entire population of over 2 million people to build what he called the "Riviera of the Middle East." This ignored Palestinian rights and dignity.
Europe is also feeling pressure from Trump's trade demands. The U.S. wants Europe to accept American meat from hormone-raised livestock. European leaders know their voters would hate this.
While Trump focuses on China and Ukraine, other global issues need attention too. Pope Francis's funeral brings world leaders together, but the U.S. is distracted by trade wars and peace talks.
Inside FSU campus shooting alerts and thousands unable to join meetings remind us that domestic challenges continue even as foreign policy dominates headlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump back down on his China tariff threats?
Trump faced pressure from falling stock markets, worried businesses, dropping poll numbers, and China's refusal to be bullied into negotiations. These factors likely convinced him to soften his approach.
What is China's response to Trump's trade tactics?
China refused to be pressured by tariff threats and insisted on respectful dialogue. They pushed back with their own tariffs and waited for Trump to change his position.
How has the stock market reacted to Trump's trade policies?
Markets fell sharply when Trump threatened high tariffs, damaging many Americans' retirement accounts. This negative reaction contributed to Trump's decision to pause or reduce some tariffs.
What is Trump's Ukraine peace plan?
Trump wants Ukraine to make significant concessions, including recognizing Russian sovereignty over Crimea. Ukraine's president says such terms would require constitutional changes that the Ukrainian people would never approve.
Has Trump's approval rating been affected by these issues?
Yes, Trump's approval rating has fallen to 40%, down 7 percentage points since February 2025, according to recent polling.
How long will it take to resolve trade issues with China?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent now suggests a "two- to three-year timeline for the full rebalancing" of the trade relationship with China, much longer than Trump initially promised.
How does Trump's approach to foreign leaders differ from traditional diplomacy?
Trump treats foreign relations like business deals, expecting quick results and using threats as leverage. Traditional diplomacy involves longer negotiations, mutual respect, and understanding of each country's internal politics.
Will Trump's "Art of the Deal" approach work in international relations?
So far, evidence suggests that international diplomacy requires different skills than real estate deals. Countries have sovereignty, national pride, and complex internal politics that resist simple deal-making formulas.