“speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”

Theodore Roosevelt used this term a lot while discussing negotiations with foreign countries. Donald Trump with his tariff approach was using his big stick and speaking loudly. It seems to be backfiring on him in multiple fronts.

He tried it with NATO countries, last week, threatening to raise tariffs if they did not support his acquisition of Greenland. He ended up backing down and going home with his tail between his legs.

He is still trying to use it on Canada. Canada has not reached an agreement with him yet. But at the same time, Canada is aggressively pursuing deals with other countries, including China, much to Donald Trump’s aggravation.

Now the EU has reached what is called the mother of all trade deals with India. The EU is doing this, obviously, to offset any trade turbulence with the US. Countries are finding ways to adjust their realities to the realities of the US and it’s maniacal president.

What Donald Trump is finding out is that his big stick is shrinking. The world is finally learning that to deal with a bully, you have to stand up to a bully and that is what is happening.

That’s all I have for today.