I see no benefit in ginning up tensions for myself, but I accept that there are power centers that do benefit from it. In a very practical sense, having a slightly less bad situation is better than a bad one.

I could offer a real life anecdote, but I am not certain where you are going with this conversation.

See https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_danegeld.htm

Trump is "making deals" by making the other option worse. But the problem is, if you take the current best option, that may not be the deal for long. He may do it again... and again...

"I am altering the deal. Pray that I do not alter it further."

When dealing with someone like this, don't play the game the first time.

I don't disagree. It is a reasonable and forward looking consideration. That said, it may be a little late to do that. Not to mention, for all the talk about how Americans being unable to handle hardship, higher prices and whatnot.. I am reasonably certain that this extends to most of the '1st world'.

This is good, once you realize you are weak and accept it, hopefully folks will sit down and have a plan to get stronger.

It’s better than pretending for decades and then getting wiped out.

This was always going to happen eventually.