Understanding Trump’s Art of Deal: All Conflicts Are Business

Understanding Trump's Art of Deal: All Conflicts Are Business

Understanding Trump's Art of Deal: All Conflicts Are Business

Author: Deep Tide TechFlow

Unknowingly, Trump has become a key figure influencing the cryptocurrency market.
Yesterday, he announced on social media his intention to include several “Made in America” altcoins in the strategic reserves, to which the market responded with a bullish candlestick, leading to varying degrees of increases in XRP, SOL, and ADA.
Today, Bitcoin dropped from 94,000 to 84,000, welcome to the presidential market narrative.
From participating in Bitcoin conferences to advocating for the U.S. to become the “capital of the crypto world,” and then establishing a national crypto reserve and signing an executive order for a digital asset task force, Trump seems to demonstrate his firm resolve towards the crypto industry.
However, his launch of the $Trump coin has sparked controversy, with the market viewing it as a potential drain on market liquidity that could undermine the value of other cryptocurrencies, leading some to question whether he is merely seeking to make a quick profit in the crypto market.
All of this is influenced by him, yet he remains elusive—filled with conflicts, contradictions, and unexpected maneuvers.
If you cannot see a person clearly, perhaps you can find answers in his writings.
You may not know that Trump is also a bestselling author. He has published 16 books to date, all of which have made it to bestseller lists. Among them, “The Art of the Deal” is his proudest work; Trump claims it is his second favorite book, only after the Bible.

This book, co-authored with writer Tony Schwartz in 1987, is an autobiographical account. In it, Trump shares his successful experiences in business and how he achieved success through his unique mindset and negotiation skills.
Thus, if you view him as a businessman, everything is aimed at making better deals and achieving business objectives.
With this character and motivation, some seemingly contradictory behaviors become easier to understand.
For example, a key principle reflected in the book is leverage. Trump writes:
“Leverage: don’t make deals without it. Enhance.” Translated directly, it means leverage: do not make deals without it. Enhance it.
When you look back at his various actions in economic and political arenas, you will find that most of them utilize leverage to achieve his objectives.

Table of Contents
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All Conflicts Are Business
It Is Crypto, and It Is Leverage
11 Principles from “The Art of the Deal”
Conclusion

At the end of last year, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social:

This statement once again showcases Trump’s typical style of using tariffs as a negotiating threat. Tariffs have become a form of leverage for him to force concessions from the other party.
By creating unbearable pressure, he compelled the EU to reconsider its stance in trade negotiations, exemplifying his business mindset—turning all conflicts into a part of business.
His recent maneuvers regarding the Russia-Ukraine war also reflect this leverage mentality.
On February 19, 2025, he issued a statement on X criticizing Ukrainian President Zelensky, claiming that “Ukraine could have avoided war through negotiations,” implying that Ukraine should have reached an agreement with Russia earlier.
Although this statement was fact-checked as misleading—since the war was triggered by Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022—Trump’s stance reveals his intent: by controlling U.S. military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, he aims to force both sides to the negotiating table.
The U.S. is Ukraine’s largest aid provider, having pledged over $44 billion in military support for 2024.
Trump may leverage this aid as a bargaining chip, threatening to reduce or suspend support to compel Ukraine to accept terms more favorable to Russia. At the same time, he might entice Moscow by suggesting a relaxation of economic sanctions against Russia—such as lifting certain energy or financial restrictions.
This dual leverage strategy embodies the principle of “having something the other party needs” from “The Art of the Deal.” Through negotiations, he may hope to quickly facilitate peace, showcase his “deal-making ability,” and even gain economic benefits from it.
Just a few days ago (March 2, 2025), Zelensky had a public altercation with Trump at the White House, further exposing the contradictions of this strategy. The White House statement indicated that Trump proposed a “mineral rights cooperation plan,” hoping Ukraine would concede certain resources (such as lithium and rare earth minerals) in exchange for peace;
Zelensky angrily countered, viewing this as a threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty. The crux of the contradiction lies in Trump’s apparent desire to seize more Ukrainian resources through negotiations, turning the war into a business opportunity.
This move may also illustrate his tendency to simplify international conflicts into transactions—everything is aimed at achieving better “business objectives,” even at the potential cost of damaging alliances or provoking international criticism.

In the cryptocurrency world, Trump’s actions are similarly marked by leverage.
On March 2, he announced on X that Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) would be included in the U.S. strategic reserves, prompting an immediate bullish response from the market, with XRP rising 33%, SOL up 22%, and ADA skyrocketing over 60%.
This policy utilizes government backing as leverage, directly boosting the value of these cryptocurrencies and enhancing his influence in the market.
Furthermore, Trump’s prior launch of his $Trump coin and the establishment of strategic reserves are also viewed as multiple manifestations of leverage strategy.

First, he may force other government departments—such as the Treasury or the Federal Reserve—to support his pro-crypto policies by including specific altcoins. On January 23, 2025, he signed an executive order to create a digital asset task force, led by his appointed “White House AI and Crypto Czar” David Sacks, an action seen as bypassing Congress to directly promote his agenda.
All these moves reflect his attempt to draw the opposition into his strategic framework.
Secondly, this policy may use crypto as a bargaining chip in partisan and economic politics. He declared on X his intention to “ensure the U.S. becomes the capital of the crypto world,” which not only aims to attract support from the crypto community—an increasingly important voter demographic—but may also serve as leverage against other major powers in international competition, preventing rival nations from dominating the digital asset market.
Setting aside whether other countries truly aim to dominate the digital asset market, this rationale or justification is evidently a form of geopolitical leverage.
But do not forget, while he serves the nation as president, he also has more family business dealings behind the scenes.
For instance, the $TRUMP coin, which drains market liquidity and leads to a plunge in the crypto market.
Some industry leaders question whether the inclusion of newer coins like XRP, SOL, and ADA leans towards specific interests, possibly linked to Trump’s family’s World Liberty Financial platform.
The launch of the $Trump coin has also been accused of siphoning market liquidity, undermining the value of other cryptocurrencies.
As a retail investor, you may feel deeply betrayed by him; yet all of this aligns with the principle of “maximizing options” in “The Art of the Deal”:
Through leverage, he is both a policymaker and a market participant, attempting to extract maximum benefits in both the real world and the crypto realm, even if it may upset some individuals.

From the negotiation strategies in the Russia-Ukraine war to the leverage operations in the cryptocurrency market, every step Trump takes seems to embody the creed of “no deal without leverage” found in “The Art of the Deal.”
But the treasures in the book are not limited to this.
Recently, Trump’s actions have not only showcased his mindset as a businessman but also piqued our curiosity: how did he systematize these concepts and validate them repeatedly throughout his decades-long business career?
Let us delve deeper to see how the core principles summarized by Trump in the book provide a blueprint for today’s conflicts and business.

Appendix: Trump’s 11 Principles of Deal-Making:
1. Think Big
Trump believes that most people hesitate to take bold risks due to fear of failure, and this timidity gives him the opportunity to win. His focus is laser-sharp, sometimes bordering on obsessive, as seen in his bold inclusion of altcoins in the strategic reserves, attempting to reshape the market landscape.
2. Protect the downside and the upside will take care of itself
In the negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, he may test the limits by threatening to reduce aid, ensuring that U.S. interests will not be harmed regardless of the outcome.
3. Maximize the options
This flexibility is evident in his simultaneous launch of the $Trump coin and the push for national reserves, running multiple lines in parallel to maximize the chances of success.
4. Know your market
Trump has stated that he would chat with taxi drivers to understand the real estate market.
5. Use Your Leverage
6. Enhance Your Location
7. Get the Word Out
Clearly, Trump excels at amplifying his influence through social media; from announcing the crypto reserves to advocating for negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, each of his steps is accompanied by high-profile publicity, ensuring that the momentum overshadows controversy.
8. Fight Back
This is evident in the altercation between Zelensky and him at the White House; faced with opposition, he does not back down, insisting on advancing his “business plan”; while a confrontation with Musk presents a different scenario.
9. Deliver the Goods
He has committed to making the U.S. the “crypto capital,” and despite ongoing controversies, he is still pushing forward to maintain market confidence.
10. Contain the Costs
He pursues efficiency in business, and this mindset may also reflect how to maximize benefits in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations with minimal aid; frugality runs throughout.
11. Have Fun
Whether manipulating the crypto market or intervening in international conflicts, Trump seems to enjoy the process, viewing each gamble as a business adventure worth savoring.

From the “presidential market narrative” in the crypto market to the negotiation gambits in the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump has leveraged each conflict into bargaining chips on the business stage.
Whether threatening the EU with tariffs, manipulating the Russia-Ukraine situation through aid and sanctions, or stirring the crypto world with strategic reserves and the $Trump coin, every step he takes follows the core logic of “no deal without leverage” presented in “The Art of the Deal.”
This business mindset allows him to navigate contradictions and conflicts with ease, yet it frequently plunges allies, markets, and even global situations into uncertainty.
As revealed by the 11 principles in his book, thinking big, utilizing leverage, and enjoying the game—not only do these form his blueprint for deals, but they also reflect his character.
To some extent, this is a manifestation of unity between knowledge and action.
Trump’s art of the deal is bound to continue stirring waves during his term; may your positions on the ship not be capsized.
This article is reproduced with permission from Deep Tide TechFlow.