India Should Use Trump's Playbook for a Fair Trade Deal

Lessons from Trump's own approach to deals could help India achieve a favourable outcome

- DIVA JAIN

"To speed up negotiations, be indifferent. That way you will find out if the other side is eager to proceed." —Donald Trump in Donald Trump: The Art of the Deal

In my previous article, I explored several strategies from The Art of the Deal to negotiate with US President Donald Trump. This op-ed draws further insights for an analysis of India's response to his moves on trade and geopolitics in the region.

Flattery, family, finance: These seem to play a major role in Trump's dealmaking. He appears keen on deals that boost his ego, his family's standing and his finances. This has been exploited by many countries. In his first term, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe got his country a stronger hand during trade talks with the US by involving Ivanka Trump in official meetings. More recently, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been able to acquire much traction in the White House by lavishing him with praise and gifts.

Vietnam has announced a $1.5 billion project with the Trump Organization in an apparent bid to curry favor. Even Pakistan seems to be enjoying a fair wind in his second presidency, thanks to crypto deals with the Trump family-owned World Liberty Financial and the sycophancy displayed by its newly appointed field marshal.