Decoding Trump’s trade strategy: The historical pattern beneath the headlines
Dr. Laurence B. Mussio & Dr. Marvin Suessse, Trinity College Dublin
Published in The Globe and Mail, 14 March 2025
In this article Dr. Mussio and Dr. Suesse analyze the underlying logic of Donald Trump’s trade policies through three competing interpretations: a Bluff Thesis, a Reckless Driver Theory and as a Geopolitical Realignment Strategy. However, they also suggest that Trump’s policies are less about foreign threats and more about punishing “globalist” elites within the U.S., echoing other historical patterns. Ultimately, economic nationalism isn’t an anomaly but a recurring force, and businesses and policymakers must recognize and adapt to these cycles.
Image Credit: Jose Luis Magana/The Associated Press