Recently I met a cousin of mine who has settled in the USA since the 1980s. We got talking about (what else) Donald Trump and she mentioned that Trump has a transactional approach to his presidency.
What does a transactional approach mean? I did a Google search and this is what I got (For the phrase – transactional approach):
A “transactional approach” can refer to a variety of contexts, but generally describes a system or method where actions are based on a quid pro quo or exchange of value, often focusing on achieving specific goals or outcomes through structured processes and rewards/punishments.
I myself have the impression that President Trump focuses on getting the best possible deal for the USA in any and all situations. It is, I think, a very short term approach. Just at this moment the breaking news on TV is that President Trump has signed an order to dismantle the US education department. Link is below:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07zpmzxln1o
Here is some more evidence that President Trump functions in a transactional manner:.
What is wrong with this you may ask?
I think this is a very short term and myopic approach that the USA might regret in the long term. I had written a blog giving my view on how the British were able to rule India for a couple of centuries and more. Quoting from the blog:
… For instance, amongst early Quakers there were a number of shopkeepers who adopted the practice of asking no more for their goods than they were willing to accept, instead of bargaining with each customer, as everyone else did. They adopted this practice because they held it to be a lie to ask for more than they would take. But the convenience to customers was so great that everyone came to their shops and they grew rich …
The quote was taken from Bertrand Russell’s Sceptical Essays:
I would like President Trump to learn from the Quakers and follow their example. I have some anecdotal evidence to support me. Washington had recently used pressure tactics on Ukraine. These pressure tactics included suspension of US support for F16 warplanes that Ukraine had purchased from the USA. Quoting from a Times of India blog:
European policymakers and analysts were worried. Several European NATO members have contracted or are considering purchasing F35 fighter jets. If the US could all of a sudden suspend support for Ukraine’s F16s, what was the guarantee that it wouldn’t do the same for German or Polish F35s under certain conditions? The same logic applied to European Patriot missile defence systems – if the US could halt missile supplies or maintenance for Ukraine, why should European nations invest billions in American defence systems rather than develop their own defence industry?
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/trump-putin-wont-cease-the-fire/
You will need to purchase a Times of India subscription to read the article online. It appeared on the March 20, 2025 edition, in the editorial page. But the facts I have stated can easily be verified online. This TOI article was written by Mykhailo Samus, Director, New Geopolitics Research Network, Ukraine.
Now I will be surprised if Americans are not aware of these rather basic concepts (illustrated by the Quakers). In case they are aware (of the concepts I have described) then I hope they are relying on a more sophisticated approach.
If they are not aware of these concepts then this is food for thought for them. No more than that. Maybe the US governments can contact some academics from some of the excellent American universities and get their views.
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