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7 Steps of Maximum Pressure

MARKO PAPIC, Chief Strategist, GeoMacro Strategy

7 Steps of Maximum Pressure

1 - Ask For The Moon!

Open up with maximalist, fantastical, borderline silly demands!

(ex: literally every opening salvo in every negotiation.)

2 - Whip Out Your Big… Button!

When the world scoffs at your demands, threaten them with “fire, fury, and your big… button!”

(ex: button size competition with North Korea, threatening Canada with statehood!)

3 - Punch Someone In The Mouth!

When the world doubts you’ll do it.. DO IT.

(ex: 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.)

4 - Break Bread, Make Friends!

Sit down… negotiate, be magnanimous and generous.

(ex: Singapore summit with Kim Jong-un, freezing of tariffs.)

5 - Leave The Bride At The Altar!

Just before you ink the deal, descend into a fit of irrational rage and throw everything off at the 11th hour!

(ex: canceling of the Singapore summit, tweet rage against PM Trudeau, summer 2019 tariffs on China.)

6 - Kiss And Make Up!

Sit back down and negotiate… 

(ex: literally… every… time.)

7 - Make A Deal!

And… of course… proclaim it to be the greatest deal ever… since… it is… You negotiate it, after all. And you’re a handsome devil!

(ex: literally… every… deal.)