Critics of President Donald Trump often overlook his deep understanding of negotiations. For 40 years, he has been involved in both small and large deals, using a strategy that involves making moves, gauging reactions, and adjusting accordingly to get what he ultimately wants.
We’ve been observing this in the context of his presidency and even delving into Scott Adams’ works. If you don’t have I’ll Win Big yet, you might want to check it out. It’s not like there was a complete meltdown when he imposed tariffs; those were clearly a tactic rather than an end goal. They serve as another illustration of Trump’s negotiation style, similar to the insights shared in The Art of the Deal.
Recently, Trump announced a historic trade agreement with UK Prime Minister Kiel, which aims to reduce or eliminate many non-tariff barriers between the two nations. The focus, initially, was on agricultural gains, estimated at around $5 billion in trade—particularly boosting access to American beef, ethanol, and various agricultural products.
Despite criticism from both sides of the Atlantic—raising concerns that healthcare regulations might jeopardize access to essential medications—it’s worth digging deeper into the specifics of the deal. It could ultimately represent a significant win for UK pharmaceutical companies and, crucially, their patients.
There’s a sense of renewed hope for NHS patients who now have better access to previously restricted medications, as Trump presses UK health services to increase spending on US suppliers. Recent reports highlight how the deal encourages the UK to be more open to US pharmaceutical imports.
As part of the agreement, the UK has agreed to evaluate rules regarding which drugs the National Health Service (NHS) will buy, and there’s urgency for these imports to arrive soon.
The NHS isn’t the only area struggling; patients in the UK are now facing shortages so severe that they have to find their own medications. Even though the UK government has pledged to spend more on services, cancer survival rates lag behind those of other nations, creating widespread concern.
While proponents of socialized medicine criticize the American healthcare model, the reality is that long wait times for care in the UK have tragically significant consequences. Reports indicate that around eight million people are waiting for treatment, with 40% waiting over 18 weeks. Alarmingly, 14,000 people died last year while awaiting emergency care.
This new trade agreement won’t solve every issue facing the NHS or socialized medicine in the UK, but it represents meaningful progress. Critics of Trump’s UK trade deal continue to misjudge him, just as they have since 2015.
