Bully Boy
Trump’s intimidation tactic is getting old. Countries are no longer shocked and awed
Trump is still behaving like a bully. While American and Iranian negotiators were meeting in Switzerland to talk about ending the US-Iran war, Trump was posting threats on social media. He also told Fox News that he had warned Iran not to close the Strait of Hormuz again. His words were so harsh that Iranian negotiators reportedly walked out of the meeting in protest.
Over the weekend, Trump also insulted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He said she had begged him for a photo at the G7 meeting in France. Meloni replied that Trump treats America’s friends worse than its enemies.
This kind of behaviour is not new for Trump. It is part of the way he does politics. His team often sees this as a strength. They believe that if Trump makes people uncomfortable, he can force them into giving America a better deal.
But this is really a lot like schoolyard bullying. A bully tries to scare someone who seems weaker. If that person gives in, the bully claims victory.
The problem is that bullying does not always work. The more often someone uses threats, the less powerful those threats become. Iran did not give in easily. India also pushed back against Trump’s pressure over trade tariffs. Now, both sides are reportedly close to a trade deal.
Trump also has a habit of taking credit for things, even when the result is not really because of him. This may now be hurting him. He needs to look as if he is winning for America all the time, instead of quietly solving problems.
Other countries are starting to understand this pattern. China, Brazil, India, Iran, and now Italy have all shown that they are not easily scared.
Trump will probably continue to act like a bully. But if more countries stand up to him, his threats may stop working.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
