Donald Trump’s dealmaking record shows mixed results

An analysis of Donald Trump’s history as a negotiator reveals a discrepancy between his self-cultivated image as a consummate dealmaker and his actual results in both the private and public sectors.

During his presidency, several high-profile claims regarding international agreements failed to materialize. These include his assertions regarding the rapid defeat of Iran, a ceasefire that quickly dissolved, and his promise to negotiate a swift end to the war in Ukraine. While Trump claimed an agreement was reached to protect energy infrastructure between Moscow and Kyiv, the pause in attacks did not occur.

In trade, Trump’s use of tariffs intended to secure favorable deals resulted in unilateral duties that led to a trade war with Canada and increased domestic prices. Even domestic projects saw significant cost overruns, such as the repair of the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool, which rose from an estimated $1 million to nearly $20 million. Christopher Preble of the Stimson Center noted that Trump is “not as good at this as he thinks he is.”