Trumps simple strategy is really simple and it's kind of shocking other world leaders haven't figured this out yet.

It's literally tit-for-tat.

In game theory tit-for-tat is actually proven to be the most effective strategy.

Summary:

" One of the most iconic scenarios in game theory is the Prisoner's Dilemma, where two parties must choose between cooperation and betrayal, with outcomes dependent on mutual choices. Within this framework, the "tit for tat" strategy has emerged as a powerful and intuitive approach to navigating repeated interactions."

" At its core, the strategy follows a simple rule: "Start by cooperating, then mirror the opponent's last move."

In other words:

If your opponent cooperates in the first round, you cooperate in the next.
If your opponent betrays (defects) in the first round, you betray them in the next.
This "eye for an eye" approach ensures that cooperation is rewarded and defection is punished, fostering trust over timeespecially in long-term, repeated interactions."

https://www.quantopia.net/blog/understanding-tit-for-tat-in-game-theory-strategy-and-application/


This is a very interesting video on game theory and tit-for-tat in academic research and in the real world.

A subtle mention in the Veritas video is that while tit-for-tat was the highest scoring strategy on average, there were some alternate strategies that would beat it in isolation, meaning that there is still a need to gauge your opponent and possibly change your strategy if required.

Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tat often wins.

Now there was the occasional downward spiral where if both parties are punishing each other in tit-for-tat fashion, it can be hard to exit the punishment loop and get back to mutual cooperation.

It's brilliant though because it quickly builds trust in your opponents behavior after a few turns. Other players quickly know before they make their next move that they'll be mirrored.

Leftists and Europeans think Trump is nutty and unpredictable, but it's exactly the opposite. He's simply nice to people who are nice to him, and punishes those who aren't. With the media, with foreign leaders, with trade and foreign policy. It's very predictable. The morons might call it petty, but the study of game-theory has proven it works.

Old McDonald said:

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bmks270 said:

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Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tar often wins.

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still waiting on these supposed tariff wins to manifest

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It's working as intended. My company has kept a few manufactured items in the US due to avoiding customs and the higher tariffs.

But it's not perfect, there could be tit-for-tat loops with both players punishing each other indefinitely at the mutual destruction of both. But a forgiving strategy doesn't win either in this scenario, you just get taken advantage of and lose the game.

Man who everyone excluding the most ardent President Trump supporters acts like a toddler, does a toddler thing. Somehow, the toddler is playing 4D chess.

BMX Bandit said:

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6 of first 9 posts on your own thread set a record. Well done

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WHOOP!!!

He definitely pushes back if you dis him or America. He's become the most ballsy force for the conservative cause in my lifetime.

the right can't meme

Old McDonald said:

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the right can't meme

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Yep. There used to be an account called "Cursed Boomer Images" to highlight this fact (and "fact" it very much is).

bmks270 said:

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Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tat often wins.

Now there was the occasional downward spiral where if both parties are punishing each other in tit-for-tat fashion, it can be hard to exit the punishment loop and get back to mutual cooperation.

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That's true if this was a one-on-one two player game, but it isn't. Trump is playing the same strategy with multiple potential allies/enemies. Look how things are playing out between just three players in the game - Canada, Mexico, and the US. Mexico is cooperating and is being rewarded. Canada isn't and is going to get crushed unless they change strategy.

This is a tough situation but as with most things Trump the game theory approach has been expensive. I'll give him credit for addressing a persistent and large problem that all of our previous executive leadership teams have mostly chose to either ignore or even worse , encourage and support. My view is finish this thing asap. If it was worth addressing in the first place then it's worth finishing off. Once they fired on American warships the gloves should come off and the IRGC needs to be flattened. If there are collateral damages then so be it.

Old McDonald said:

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bmks270 said:

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Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tar often wins.

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still waiting on these supposed tariff wins to manifest

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Threat of tariffs = manufacturing coming back to US. Surprised you didn't know that. Probably best to expand your news sources.

30 seconds on Google..

President Donald J. Trump's administration has pursued a series of bilateral trade and economic prosperity agreements, reciprocal trade pacts, and investment deals. You can track ongoing actions via the Trump Trade Tracker. [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements), [2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Day_tariffs), [3] (https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-imposes-additional-tariffs-on-canada/), [4] (https://trumptradetracker.com/)Reciprocal and Economic Prosperity DealsUnited Kingdom: Economic Prosperity Deal (General terms agreed in May/June 2025). [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements)European Union: Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade (Announced July/August 2025). [1] (https://ustr.gov/trade-topics/presidential-tariff-actions)Japan: Agreement toward the U.S.-Japan Alliance, alongside a critical minerals and rare earths framework and technology prosperity deals (Fall 2025). [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements)South Korea (ROK): U.S.-ROK Strategic Trade and Investment Deal and Technology Prosperity Deal (October 2025). [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements)Malaysia: Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and critical minerals supply chain MOU (October 2025). [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements)Cambodia: Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (October 2025). [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements)Bangladesh: Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (February 2026). [1] (https://www.strtrade.com/trade-news-resources/tariff-actions-resources/trump-trade-agreements)Other Trading Partners: Initial reciprocal trade understandings or negotiations involving countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and others following tariff adjustments. [1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Day_tariffs)Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.Trump Trade Agreements | Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.Bangladesh * USTR: Agreement Between the United States of America and the People's Republic of Bangladesh on Reciprocal Trade (February 9, 2026) * USTR: Fact Sh...The White House (.gov)Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Imposes Additional Tariffs on ...Jul 20, 2026 The United States, under President Trump's leadership, did not agree to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, because the...United States Trade Representative (.gov)Presidential Tariff Actions | United States Trade RepresentativeJoint Statement: Joint Statement on a United States-European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade (August 21, 2025) White Hou...WikipediaLiberation Day tariffs - WikipediaIn response, the White House suspended the April 9 tariff increases to allow time for negotiation. By July 31, Trump had announced deals with eight trading part...Trump Trade TrackerTrump Trade TrackerSep 7, 2026 Judge orders Trump administration to close out goods without charging emergency tariffs US to hike global tariff to 15% 'sometime this week,' Bessent says Custo... AI

BMX Bandit said:

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6 of first 9 posts on your own thread set a record. Well done

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Including at least 5 edits!!

Old McDonald said:

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bmks270 said:

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Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tar often wins.

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still waiting on these supposed tariff wins to manifest

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Trump's tariffs are resulting in increased US manufacturing, which, along with the AI revolution, are adding enough jobs to offset Trump's huge reduction in government workers plus some. The US economy is very strong and unemployment is so low, we are considered at full employment.

Additionally Trump's tax policy allows the expensing of new factories and other capital expenditures which is very pro GDP and pro jobs.

ts5641 said:

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He definitely pushes back if you dis him or America. He's become the most ballsy force for the conservative cause in my lifetime.

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Trump is not a force for the conservative cause. No conservative goes on TV and says, "If you vote for my team in the midterms, I'll send you a $5k check."

Quote:

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The US economy is very strong

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Uhm, if I look at banking data, I see lengthening payment cycles throughout the economy. That's a sign of macroeconomic stress. You can't maintain a "strong economy" without "strong cash flows" and we're seeing deterioration.

Old McDonald said:

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bmks270 said:

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Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tar often wins.

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still waiting on these supposed tariff wins to manifest

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People who mock the tariffs shouldn't get to use their tariff dividend checks.

AggieVictor10 said:

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Old McDonald said:

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bmks270 said:

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Trump has openly said this is his strategy on tariffs. And as game theory has proven, in repeated games tit-for-tar often wins.

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still waiting on these supposed tariff wins to manifest

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People who mock the tariffs shouldn't get to use their tariff dividend checks.

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i don't need the money, but bless your heart if you think you or anyone is getting a tariff dividend check