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Trump’s diplomatic setbacks cast doubt on dealmaker reputation

Mar 19, 2025, 7:03am EDT
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Donald Trump
Carlos Barria/Reuters

US President Donald Trump’s diplomatic setbacks in Ukraine, Gaza, and Panama are casting doubt on his dealmaking reputation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to have rejected Trump’s bid for a full ceasefire in Ukraine, instead agreeing only to a limited truce: “Putin told Trump today that he wants a lasting peace, but his negotiating position suggests otherwise,” one expert wrote.

At the same time, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — pushed by Trump before his inauguration — appeared to be in tatters.

And Chinese authorities were angered by an agreement by a BlackRock-led consortium to take control of Panama Canal ports, which the White House had celebrated.

Even a deal to address security concerns over TikTok, reportedly nearing agreement, drew criticism from a Republican lawmaker.

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