Appeasement or Strength: How to Handle a Bully (Trump)?
In a recent episode of Vantage with Palki Sharma on Firstpost (N18G), aired on January 19, 2026, the anchor delivered a sharp analysis of global strategies for dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive foreign policy tactics. Titled “Appeasement or Strength: How to Handle a Bully (Trump)?”, the segment framed Trump’s approach—particularly toward Europe—as classic bullying, backed by economic leverage like tariffs rather than shared values or alliances.
The episode highlighted Europe’s recent experience as a cautionary tale. European leaders had launched a “charm offensive,” hosting Trump, praising him, and making concessions in hopes of maintaining stable relations. Yet, a year later, the same leaders face fresh threats: Trump has proposed 10% tariffs on several European nations as pressure to support his long-standing ambition to acquire Greenland from Denmark. These threats endanger economies, borders, and livelihoods across the continent, underscoring that appeasement has not only failed but invited further aggression.
Palki Sharma described Trump bluntly: “Trump is basically a bully with a large stick.” She argued that appeasing such a figure only encourages more undermining. The alternative? Standing firm. “If you appease a bully, he will keep undermining you. But if you fight back, well, then you may still have a chance.” The segment pointed to China’s example as proof: by restricting exports of rare earth minerals and magnets—critical for electric vehicles, fighter jets, and consumer electronics—China forced Trump to scale back tariffs from 145% to 47% on certain goods. Strength, not submission, compelled de-escalation.
Extending the lesson beyond Europe, the analysis warned that weakness attracts targeting, while demonstrated resolve deters it. Appeals to shared principles—such as historical alliances from the World Wars or commitments to democracy—fall flat against Trump’s transactional style. His inconsistent positions, like threatening tariffs on countries buying Russian oil while inviting Russia into a “Gaza Board of Peace” initiative, reveal coercion as the core driver, not ideology.
To counter this dynamic, Palki Sharma outlined a practical playbook of four main tactics for nations seeking to “court” or effectively manage Trump:
- Build Leverage — Create strategic assets or dependencies that give bargaining power. China’s dominance in rare earths provided real leverage, as did Gulf states’ business and personal ties to Trump family projects.
- Form Partnerships — Avoid isolation by forging alliances. South Africa, facing Trump’s accusations of genocide and threats of G20 exclusion, countered by hosting naval drills with BRICS partners (including Russia, China, Iran, Brazil, and Egypt) to signal collective strength.
- Don’t Rely on Principles — Accept that Trump’s moves are coercive rather than principled. Examples of hypocrisy—sanctioning others for Russian ties while engaging Moscow himself—show that moral arguments are unlikely to sway him.
- Invest in Strategic Autonomy — Strengthen independent military and economic capabilities to reduce vulnerabilities. Bullies target the weak; equals are less appealing. Denmark’s heavy reliance on U.S. defense was cited as a liability, while Iran’s military posture has reportedly deterred direct interventions seen in places like Venezuela.
The segment added a satirical note on a potential “fifth option”—pure flattery—as attempted by Pakistan. Despite lavish praise, Nobel Peace Prize nominations, and deals with Trump-linked firms, Pakistan ended up blacklisted for immigrant visas, proving appeasement’s futility.
Ultimately, the message was clear and uncompromising: “A bully understands just one language and that is the language of strength.” In an era of renewed U.S. unilateralism under Trump, nations must prioritize leverage, alliances, realism, and self-reliance over hope in goodwill or shared history. The episode urged preparation and strategic resolve, arguing that only through strength can countries protect their interests against coercive pressure.
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