FROM THE OUTSIDE | Dreams, Possibilities, Realities?

“…And we tried different things,

We were smoking funny things…"

— All Summer Long is a song by Kid Rock, a supporter of Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump and his allies promise a “golden era” for the United States. However, at best, this represents a statement of good intentions and, at worst, a cruel deception of those who placed their hopes in them.

This promise began with what seems to be a declaration of conflict with the world: the announcement of trade tariffs against the United States' partners—Mexico, Canada, and China—and threats of similar actions against the European Union.

The “golden era” begins with what The Wall Street Journal recently called “the dumbest trade war in history.”

“The hammer blow to Mexico and Canada shows that no country or industry is secure. Trump believes that tariffs serve not only as an effective diplomatic tool but are also economically beneficial in their own right,” the article stated. It further cautioned that, “this will compel both friends and adversaries to reassess their reliance on the U.S. market, with unpredictable consequences.”

However, it’s also true that Trump’s negotiation style involves applying pressure, adopting aggressive stances, and positioning the opposing side to feel inferior or weak—an approach that some have started to label as “Masculine Maximalism.” This strategy encompasses harsh rhetoric, macho behavior, irreverence, rudeness, and a frequent disregard for emotional sensitivity, empathy, or moderation, as noted by columnists Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen.

This mindset is shared and practiced by both Trump and his collaborator, Elon Musk—the billionaire whom Trump has specifically tasked with reforming and downsizing the U.S. government. It is also evident in his approach to foreign policy.

The core concept is to pursue demands and proposals as far and as forcefully as possible, conceding only what is necessary—and ideally even less.

Indeed, the United States has not always been a dependable trade partner due to fluctuations in its domestic politics. However, for decades, these changes took place within a framework of negotiations that at least created the illusion of mutual exchange rather than outright imposition.

However, the open, transparent, and public application of trade tariffs as a tool for political pressure, along with the equally public threat of military force to achieve policy goals, had previously been observed only in crises involving adversaries rather than allies.

In this context, it’s reasonable to question whether there is any justification beyond political posturing for the pressures on the United States' partners and allies.

Furthermore, it remains to be seen if the realities of the U.S. economy and the global landscape will continue to uphold the idea of self-sufficiency that appears to fuel Trump’s internal and external ambitions.