Donald Trump’s approach to dealmaking, particularly in the realm of golf tournaments at his properties, has raised significant concerns among various stakeholders. His approaches are based on punitive measures, coercive tactics, and highly prescriptive oversight requirements. These practices have sparked controversy for their effect on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across public, private, and academic sectors. One, he rudderly charts the choppy sea of business and politics. The impact of his campaign is becoming clearer by the day.
Trump’s “deals” always seem to focus on promises of a specified amount of pro bono work in communities that have received his seal of approval. This started some serious allegations against him. Advocates say he is using these agreements to reshape hiring and recruitment practices among public-sector employers. Critics say this fault is more than skin deep. They view it as a signal intent – a warning shot – aimed at tearing down the DEI efforts that countless institutions have fought to establish.
The ominous fallout from Trump’s deals goes past pro golf events. His track record of turning personal hobbies into profitable political capital precedes him. For example, when he was president, Trump was impeached after having called and pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the middle of a war. On July 25, 2019, Trump spoke with Zelensky, a call Trump would later characterize as a “perfect, appropriate call.” The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has put a hold on $141 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. This hold is directly connected to the State Department’s request for that funding.
At the heart of Trump’s impeachment was his asking Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. This well-covered move clearly demonstrated his willingness to abuse political power for personal gain. This event quickly became a pivotal moment in Trump’s presidency. It underscored his objective of continuing to pressure coalition groups into concessions that furthered his aims.
These implications of Trump’s tactics go well beyond elected officials. He’s expanded his arsenal. Now, he adds the press, trading partners, private law firms, large universities, and now private citizens. His negotiations with campuses have no obvious connection to his personal stake. At a deeper level, their demands raise some deeply troubling questions about the ethics underlying his demands. In exchange, Trump wants concessions from these institutions. This action seems to subvert their independence and mold their decisions to serve his goals.
Trump’s impact has not only affected our politics or the academic arena, but it spread quickly to the economic environment as well. For instance, his announcement of a six-month delay on tariffs for Chinese electronic supply chains sent the U.S. Dollar plummeting within minutes. The triple move triggered a dramatic recovery in the currency. Moreover, it lowered demand for safe-haven assets, further underscoring the far-reaching economic effects of Trump’s tactics.
The semiconductor and electronics tariff delay on China ended up strengthening the U.S. Dollar. This movement weighed on gold prices, causing gold to fall in value. Trump’s strategy starts with the premise that economic pressure should be the primary bargaining chip. This reckless, ideological approach is poison to our international relations and economic stability.