Capt Towhid Bin Shafi(retd):
Donald Trump the businessman, the President of the United States must be considered in the context of his business philosophy influenced by The Art of the Deal, which was a bestseller in 1987. His second presidency has featured a clear, unambiguously de-globalising role; it put an ‘America First’ agenda prioritising US interests over multinational treaties From slashing foreign aid to threatening tariffs, his choices were those of a businessman, not a conventional politician.
Cutting Global Ties: The De-Globalization Step
Decreasing the US’s financial obligations to international entities is perhaps one of the biggest things Trump rolled back. He slashed funding to entities such as the United Nations, NATO and the World Health Organization (WHO), claiming that the United States was giving funds without jurisdiction or following prescribed policy. His withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal only solidified his perception.
His economic goal is showing displacement; however, it’s a perfect neoclassical realism example. His belief that the United States was being ripped off in international trade underlay the trade war with China. He demanded better terms from China by slapping heavy tariffs on Chinese imports, a tactic designed to pressure China into renegotiating trade terms that he thought were unfair.
Negotiating from a Position of Strength
Trump’s de-globalisation approach wasn’t just about isolation and using economic power to force better bargains. An early lesson from The Art of the Deal is to “use leverage,” he is trying to use an incredible amount of it in global politics. He pushed NATO allies to increase the money they spent on defences, saying the US was burdened with too many financial obligations. His position on halting foreign aid was an expression of that belief.
Even more, Trump’s immigration policies were part of his larger de-globalisation agenda.He achieved this by hardening border controls and reducing the number of visas granted, claiming that foreign labour drove down American jobs and wages
The “America First” Philosophy: A Business Strategy in Politics
His book also covers his career in Business, which highly reflects his style of Leadership. His “think big” philosophy cover policies aimed at re-establishing American dominance through economic sanctions, trade renegotiations or military repositioning. He knew how to work image and branding, often casting himself as a tough negotiator.
Trump’s corporate-oriented lens in international relations often led to controversial results since he viewed global politics like a business deal. Supporters hailed his work to restore American economic might, while critics say his exit from international pacts undermined diplomatic ties, often with long-term geopolitical consequences.
Legacy of De-Globalisation
The legacy of Trump’s de-globalisation policies has shaped foreign policy. And his notions of self-sufficiency, economic nationalism and some strategic degree of disconnection from global entities have raised policy debates in America and across the world. Whether viewed as a painful correction or a painful retreat, his time in office illustrates the extent to which a businesslike mindset can radically alter political strategy.
As this world adjusts to new realities of power, one thing we can say with confidence is that the argument that The Art of the Deal has remade world diplomacy is a hard one to rebut. Whether this effort will serve or hurt the public is a topic for debate for years to come.
Writer: Capt Towhid Bin Shafi(retd)
Bio: The Author of this Column Md. Towhid Bin Shafi is the Director Admin and Execution at the Canadian University of Bangladesh. With a diverse background in administration, international relations, and academia, he has served as a Captain in the military and participated in a UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic. Holding an MBA and currently pursuing Master’s in International Relations from Jahangirnagar University, he is actively involved in research, having co-authored multiple articles and contributed as a columnist. Passionate about education and leadership, he is dedicated to shaping the next generation through academic and extracurricular initiatives.
