President Donald Trump’s new foreign policy proposal is a masterclass in pressure point politics, targeting the specific economic weak spots of his allies and adversaries alike to achieve his goals. The plan, focused on ending the Ukraine war, applies leverage in a highly targeted manner.
For NATO allies like Hungary and Slovakia, the pressure point is their dependency on Russian oil. By demanding a full embargo as the price for U.S. cooperation on sanctions, Trump is forcing them to confront their most significant economic vulnerability.
For China, the pressure point is its access to Western markets. The proposal for 50% to 100% tariffs, imposed by the entire NATO bloc, targets the foundation of China’s economic power: its export-driven economy. This is a direct squeeze on Beijing’s most sensitive economic nerve.
For Russia, the ultimate target, the plan pressures its reliance on energy exports. By trying to orchestrate a shutdown of its markets in both Europe (via the NATO ban) and Asia (by penalizing China for buying), Trump is attempting to hit the Kremlin right where it hurts the most: its state budget.