Trump’s Erratic Diplomacy Erodes U.S. Global Credibility

Commentators argue that former President Donald Trump’s style of “dealmaking” has become a liability for U.S. foreign policy. Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter of *The Art of the Deal*, described Trump as a “pathologically dishonest hype artist” whose short attention span and need for public attention have translated into inconsistent, strategy-free actions on the world stage. A Salon report citing Steve Hendrix and Anthony Faiola notes that the United States is no longer taken seriously abroad, leaving diplomatic relations “unstable and dangerous.”

Salon

Trump built his political brand on the image of a savvy negotiator, a narrative Schwartz later called a fiction. Schwartz told journalist Jane Mayer that, had he written the book today, it would be titled *The Sociopath*. According to the article, Trump’s self-styled “art of the deal” has been replaced by impulsive tariff experiments, ad-hoc threats, and a “bizarre tariff regime” that allies have struggled to accommodate.

Salon

Jeremy Shapiro, director of the U.S. Shapiro expressed surprise that Trump’s tactics have lasted so long, implying that the erosion of credibility is a direct result of his unpredictable conduct.

Salon

“Iran refuses to bend under American bombs and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Russian President Vladimir Putin persists in his war in Ukraine. Europe met Trump’s recently renewed demands for Greenland with a collective sigh, and trading partners have shrugged off the latest tariffs.” — Anthony Faiola

Salon

The article contends that Trump’s erratic moves—such as a mid-July announcement of a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia followed by a “poison-pill” amendment posted on Truth Social—have left allies skeptical. Reported reactions include Iran’s refusal to bend under American pressure, Russia’s continued war in Ukraine, Europe’s muted response to renewed Greenland demands, and trading partners ignoring new tariffs. Analysts warn that the loss of credibility and exposure of national weaknesses could leave the United States vulnerable for an extended period, complicating any future effort to rebuild its diplomatic reputation.

Salon