Introduction.
"Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump has been surprising, irritating, shocking or delighting different parts of the world with his assertive though volatile, not exactly diplomatic behaviour. A realist and pragmatist à outrance, Mr. Trumps admires power in itself, and powerful and successful people, as a consequence.
In this barely begun second mandate, it seems undeniable that his back office, intelligence and planning staff have greatly improved and, not so evident to many though, his apparently unco-ordinated, illogical and egocentric measures actually bear long range, non-negligible objectives.
It is within this perspective that all his myriad statements -personal or from close associates, menaces and actions must be analysed, from the already (in)famous Hudson Bay Capital text by Stephen Miran to the ongoing novella of reciprocal tariffs, passing through the “Greenland Annexation” or Gulf of America pledges.
We discuss in this Note the tariffs issue. There is no purpose to dwell on the true or feared impacts of the tariffs. Instead, a new explanation is provided for the issue, framing it in a Grand Strategy where it acquires sense.
The Note should be taken both as an exercise and test of a challenging hypotheses on the new administration goals: behind the smokescreen of impetuous, provocative and nearly irresponsible actions lie carefully planned tactical steps leading to broader, undeclared targets that, if reached, will certainly change the world order and assure a considerable dose of extra oxygen to the slowly falling hegemon. What is essentially the spirit of the MAGA – Make America Great Again slogan."