The Trump-Style Fusion of Diplomacy and Business Is Inappropriate

Brahma Chellaney Professor Emeritus, Center for Policy Research

If a leader hands over important diplomatic responsibilities to his family members and business partners, he will face huge opposition in most democratic countries. But Trump has faced very little opposition for doing so. Many people call his ‘crony diplomacy’ as non-traditional working style. But its long-term consequences are serious. Instead of relying on the Secretary of State or professional diplomats, Trump has handed over important responsibilities to his son-in-law Jared Kushner and business-partner Steve Witkoff.

Kushner was also a senior advisor during Trump’s first term and played a role in brokering the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab countries. Kushner and Witkoff are leading negotiations on Ukraine, Gaza and Iran, but neither has any previous experience solving complex and significant diplomatic challenges. Again, the conflict of interests of both is also clearly visible.

Let’s start with Witkoff. Last year, Pakistan signed a controversial investment deal with cryptocurrency company World Liberty Financial (WLF). The CEO of this company is Witkoff’s son Jack and Trump and the Witkoff family have ownership stake in the company. In January this year, a unit associated with the same company signed another agreement with Pakistan. This was about the company launching a stablecoin, which could be used for cross-border transactions.

But US-Iran talks took place in Pakistan itself and Pakistan was also the mediator of the talks. When different parties are determining geopolitical outcomes in a region and also seeking business opportunities, diplomacy begins to resemble a market. Reach, influence and profit are interrelated. Now talking about Kushner, after Trump’s first term, he started a private equity firm named ‘Affinity Partners’ and raised billions of dollars from the monarchies of Gulf countries. This also includes about $2 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.

That is, Kushner is dependent on Saudi capital, but despite this he is expected to negotiate on improving relations with Iran. While Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly pleading with Trump to continue the war. Kushner and Witkoff’s conflicts of interest and their inexperience in foreign policy explain why Trump did not appoint them to official diplomatic posts.

Special envoys do not have to go through the Senate confirmation process. Unlike professional diplomats, they are not bound by ethical rules and parliamentary oversight. In such a situation, Kushner and Witkoff can use their influence and can also negotiate on behalf of America without accountability. Trump’s associate Larry Ellison has also made huge profits from investing in ‘TikTok’.

Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Jr. have also recently joined a drone company called ‘Powers’. He is trying to sell drone interceptors to Gulf countries to respond to Iran’s attacks in the war started by his father. Now even news of possible insider trading regarding the Iran war is coming to the fore.

Large bets were reportedly placed just ahead of Trump’s public statements that could impact the market. Such scandals could have brought down any previous US government, or at least prompted immediate investigations, but they have become commonplace under the Trump regime.

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