The Art of the Deal vs. the Art of ...

War. 

In this corner representing the United States of America stands President Donald Trump (spit!). The former reality TV star and present day Commander in Tweet is 73 years old, weighs 243# and stands at 6’3”. He is the disputed author of “Trump: The Art of the Deal.” The real author is Tony Schwartz, who states the book should be “recategorized as fiction.” 

This former NY Times bestseller is part memoir, part how-to business guide. There’s pages about Don’s early years growing up in a log cabin with a dirt floor. (Whoops! Wrong President!) The book goes on to give 11 get rich quick ideas to all wannabe billionaires who happened to have inherited beaucoup bucks from their fathers. A notable quote says it all.

“I promote bravado. I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves. but they can get very excited by those who do. That is why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest, the greatest and the most spectacular.” 

In other words, if you can’t Wow them with facts, Wow them with “alternative facts.” AKA: Bull Poop. 💩 

BTW: Trump has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcies six times in his business career.  Then there was that $25,000,000 settlement to the students/suckers who bought into the fraudulent claims of Trump University.

Accepting business advice from this book would be like paying attention to a vegetarian explaining the best way to prepare and grill a steak. 

Despite all this, the Art of the Deal is “The Chosen One’s” favorite book. It’s probably the only book he’s ever read. 

Now we’ll expound about the “Tariff Man’s” opponent. China. 

A little about China. There’s nothing a little about it. China is the most populated country in the world. (Nearly one out of every five humans is Chinese). Size-wise it’s the third largest country in the world. As far as age goes China has been around the sun a few times. There’s over 3,000 years of recorded history. (I know it wasn’t written in English.) China was once called the “Sleeping Giant.” Well, Goliath is now awake and fully caffeinated. China’s economy is second only to the US. Globally, it’s a tough country to ignore.

China is all the above and possesses a secret weapon. His name is General Sun Tzu. He wrote the “Art of War” in the late 6th century BC. 

I’ll give credit to Wikipedia for this synopsis: “The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare^[1] and has influenced both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond.”

The book contains 13 chapters of brilliance. American General Norman Schwarzkopf has been inspired by this read. 

Here’s a notable quote from General Sun Tzu: “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

In other words, don’t Tweet your intentions to the World! It’s my opinion the Trump vs. China Trade War is a mismatch. The Chinese powers to be think in multidimensional layers. The Chinese have learned patience through the ages. Our Man in Charge is no Economic Think Tank. He’s as impetuous as a Child. My analogy? It would be like me challenging Shaquille O’Neil to a One on One half court basketball game. No contest. 

You’ve heard it here first. 

Lastly, I once wrote a book. No other author has jumped up to claim it. It won the prestigious IPPY Gold Medal Award In 2012 for self-publishing. I think it’s a good read. It’s not my favorite read though. 

Pick it up on Kindle and you will donate $2.00 for my next Happy Hour IPA. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006VXRMUG?keywords=Jeff%20Sambur&qid=1447125667&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1b

 

Cheers!

Jeff (the why can’t we all just get along guy)