Pittsburgh_Patrika_July_2018

The Pittsburgh Patrika, Vol, 23, No. 4, July 2018
The Quarterly Magazine (Jan, Apr, Jul, and Oct) for the Indian Diaspora
Vol. 23 No. 4 www.pittsburghpatrika.com July 2018
Phone/Fax: (724) 327 0953
4
e-mail: ThePatrika@aol.com
Trump’s Bravado Is Counterproductive
As a New York real estate tycoon and casino owner in Nevada, Donald
Trump’s management style was to keep his subordinates, competition,
vendors, clients guessing, and spring surprises in meetings to have an
upper hand. But it did not always work for him. His businesses filed for
Chapter-11 bankruptcies six times. Trump’s ad hoc working style and
blowing hot and cold unabatedly followed him to the Oval Office on appointments,
domestic and trade policies, and foreign affairs. This style is
bad for running the behemoth called the Government of the United States,
whose tentacles in military alliances, intelligence operations, business/
trading interests, are spread all over the world.
So, managing US relations with allies and trading partners, and
dealing with threats and enemies require a steady hand at the helm
to diplomatically coordinate the policies. Thousands of dedicated government
officials work for him doing the
groundwork for months, even years,
to build consensus on complex,
sensitive issues, so that in summits,
leaders can sign agreements on issues
on substance under good optics.
Trump’s adhocism on policies
makes it difficult, to put it generously,
for officials to negotiate on
his behalf. He erratically turns the rudder wheel of the huge ship of the
State with bluster, as he did in the G-7 meeting in Canada in June. The
confrontational picture describes the acrimony in the meeting.
President Trump may think — even believe — that the brashly displaying
American raw power in summits will make US allies genuflect before
him and scare hostile nations into submission. The “Sole Super Power”
sobriquet for the US will be honored by allies — and feared by enemies
— only if the US uses its power with discretion and finesse. His bluster
and bravado weaken the alliance, only making Russia and China happy.
Even in domestic politics, one wonders if Trump is helping or hurting
the GOP by his brazenness. — By KSV •