Trump's Pattern of Breaking Agreements Makes Him an Unreliable Negotiating Partner
Source: Susan B. Glasser. "Trump and the Iran Deal That Wasn’t | The New Yorker." April 23, 2026. www.newyorker.com
The Gist
The author argues that Trump can't make deals with other countries because he constantly breaks his promises and lies. Since he's pulled out of so many agreements and can't keep his story straight, why would Iran or anyone else trust him to keep a new deal?
Conclusion
Trump's consistent pattern of breaking agreements and his unreliable character make it nearly impossible for other nations, particularly Iran, to negotiate meaningful deals with the United States
Premises
- Trump has withdrawn from numerous international agreements including the Paris climate accord, Trans-Pacific Partnership, WHO, nuclear treaties, and the original Iran nuclear deal
- Trump's public statements about negotiations with Iran are contradictory, false, and change rapidly, demonstrating his instability and dishonesty
- Trump has broken faith with allies and partners, including Afghan refugees who helped the US and NATO members questioning Article 5 guarantees
- Countries rely on credibility to conduct international relations, and Trump's faithlessness undermines America's ability to make binding commitments
- Future US presidents may reject Trump's deals just as Trump rejected his predecessors' agreements, creating additional uncertainty for potential partners
Assumptions
- International agreements require trust and credibility to be effective
- A leader's past behavior is predictive of future behavior in negotiations
- Other nations make rational calculations about whether to trust negotiating partners
- Domestic political changes can invalidate international commitments
- Consistent messaging is important for successful diplomacy