In an unexpected turn of events, John Kerry, former Secretary of State under President Barack Obama, has expressed admiration for President-elect Donald Trump's unpredictable approach to international negotiations.
Kerry, who is known for his more conventional diplomatic strategies, suggested that Trump's aggressive and sometimes threatening demeanor could prove advantageous when confronting global adversaries.
According to The Washington Examiner, Kerry made these remarks during a recent event at Harvard University's Institute of Politics. He defended Trump's unpredictability, arguing that it could be beneficial in negotiations. "He makes unpredictability a virtue, and it actually can be helpful," Kerry said, eliciting laughter from the audience. However, he quickly silenced the crowd, insisting, "Don't laugh."
Kerry further elaborated that such unpredictability could be particularly useful when initiating talks, as it would allow Trump and his team to assess the situation before making any concrete proposals. "When you're just starting out and you're trying to find your ground and you don't know exactly where you're going to be able to go, it's not a bad thing for them to worry about you a little bit and what you might do," he explained.
Kerry, who stepped down from his position earlier this year but continues to act as an informal diplomat for President Joe Biden, expressed his belief that Trump is eager to negotiate with Iran and other U.S. adversaries, including China. He even went as far as to wish Trump success, expressing hope that Trump might prove to be a more effective negotiator than Biden.
For instance, Kerry referred to Biden's recent discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating, "I think President Trump will want to try to prove that he's a better negotiator. So more power to him. I hope he does." He also expressed optimism about Trump's potential dealings with Tehran, stating, "I believe there are some opportunities available to President-elect Trump to be able to open up some really important negotiations. And I hope he will do that. I hope he will."
These comments from Kerry, a seasoned diplomat, underscore the potential value of unpredictability in international negotiations. While Trump's approach may diverge from traditional diplomatic strategies, it could potentially yield positive results when dealing with global adversaries. As the nation awaits the commencement of Trump's presidency, it remains to be seen how his unconventional negotiation style will impact U.S. relations with countries like Iran and China.
Login