The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge Is It Even Possible To Negotiate With Donald Trump?
Sep 2, 2025
Gerald Butts, former principal secretary to Justin Trudeau, shares his firsthand experiences negotiating with Donald Trump during the Canada-U.S. trade talks. James Moore, a former cabinet minister under Stephen Harper, provides his perspective on the challenges of political strategies in the Trump era. They discuss Trump's unique negotiation style, combining emotional intelligence with unpredictable outcomes. The insights reveal the delicate balance needed to navigate international negotiations while maintaining national integrity. It's a compelling dive into political intrigue!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump Sees Economy As A Negotiating Asset
- Donald Trump treats the U.S. economy as an asset he can squeeze for advantage rather than as part of a rules-based system.
- That worldview breaks assumptions used by traditional negotiators and upends multilateral norms.
Protect Interests And Play For Time
- Always protect your interests and expect Trump to protect his; never assume standard deal norms apply.
- Play for time and avoid closing a deal unless terms are durable and acceptable to you.
Charlevoix Photo Splash Revealed Trump’s Style
- Gerald Butts recounts the 2018 Charlevoix G7 photo splash where Trump ranted about the stock market and then told Butts, "if you are a dishonest person, you can make a lot of money in this business."
- The story shows Trump acts the same behind closed doors as on camera and can unsettle negotiators.