David Vance SubstackRead More
Donald Trump’s return to the White House has already sent shockwaves through the global economy, and his tariff announcements last week are proving to be a masterclass in strategic leadership.
The deranged howls of indignation from the Left and their salty tears are just a bonus!
Yesterday, White House officials revealed that dozens of countries have reached out to the Trump administration, eager to negotiate in the wake of his tariff declarations. This flurry of diplomatic activity underscores one undeniable truth: Trump’s America First agenda is back, and it’s commanding the world’s attention. It also shows that Trump’s understanding of the effectiveness of tariffs in getting a better GLOBAL economy order is on the money!
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has emphasised the flexibility and power Trump has secured through this move. When asked whether the tariffs were a permanent fixture or a negotiation tactic, Bessent sidestepped a definitive answer, saying;
“That’s going to be a decision for President Trump, but I can tell you that… he’s created maximum leverage for himself.”
This is vintage Trump—unpredictable, decisive, and always in control of the narrative.
Commerce Secretary the excellent Howard Lutnick echoed this confidence dismissing any notion of retreat.
“The tariffs are coming, of course they are,” he declared when pressed on the possibility of negotiation. Earlier in the interview, Lutnick doubled down, rejecting suggestions of postponement: “There is no postponing. They are definitely going to stay in place for days and weeks.” (Note — not YEARS) His unwavering tone sends a clear message to America’s trading partners: Trump means business, and the days of the U.S. bending to international pressure are over.
How can anyone of goodwill be upset about this? Isn’t is simply using leverage to obtain trading parity?
Yet, for all the tough talk, Trump’s team hasn’t closed the door on dialogue—a hallmark of his deal-making prowess. The great Peter Navarro, a top adviser to the president who I have had the pleasure of interviewing, addressed Vietnam’s request for a 46-day delay.
“This is not a negotiation,” Navarro stated firmly, before adding, “but we’re always willing to listen.”
This blend of resolve and openness reflects Trump’s Art of the Deal philosophy: set the terms, hold the line, but leave just enough room to extract maximum concessions.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, took a similarly measured approach. When asked about room for negotiations, she avoided a direct response, instead highlighting the bigger picture:
“We’re two business days into this new American order, so I think we have a lot to be determined, but the president is resolute in his focus.”
Her words underscore the broader vision driving Trump’s tariff strategy—a reassertion of American economic dominance that prioritises the needs of U.S. workers and businesses over globalist agendas.
Those bitching about Trump’s tariffs as reckless or isolationist entirely miss the point. Dozens of countries now scrambling to the negotiating table prove that Trump’s approach is working. He’s not just slapping tariffs on for the sake of it; he’s using them as a cudgel to force fairer trade deals, protect American industries, and level a playing field long tilted against the United States. This isn’t chaos—it’s calculated strength.
As the world watches, Trump’s tariff gambit is a reminder of why he resonates with millions of Americans. He’s unafraid to wield power, disrupt complacency, and put America first. Whether these tariffs remain permanent or evolve into negotiated victories, one thing is certain: Donald Trump is once again shaping the global order on his terms. And with his team projecting unwavering confidence, the message to both allies and adversaries is clear—get on board, or get left behind.
This is the Trump era, and it’s just getting started!
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