In a striking display of diplomatic chess, former President Trump has resurfaced with a bold new strategy to curtail Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The plan involves slapping hefty tariffs on countries like China and India that are still pulling out all the stops on importing Russian goods. If Russia doesn’t cease its wartime activities within a 49-day window, a 100% tariff will be enacted on those providing financial lifeblood to what is perceived as Russian expansionism. It appears Trump is playing the international community like a grandmaster, with a scheme that could easily be dubbed “sanctions and ladders.”

Interestingly, it wasn’t Russia itself that bore the brunt of Trump’s tough talk this time, but rather the nations that keep reaching for those Russian imports like candy from a jar. Maybe they need a wake-up call louder than the Kremlin’s persistent denials of aggression. Trump, ever the negotiator, casts himself as the only leader with the moxie to break this geopolitical gridlock, or at least give it a hearty shake with some old-school financial pressure.

One can almost imagine a scene where the former President turns to Melania to explain the complexities of his telephonic tête-à-têtes with Putin. How quaint, having those “lovely” talks with the Russian leader, only to grapple with headlines that reveal Putin’s less-than-lovely actions at night. Trump seems to have been caught in a loop of diplomacy during the day and destitution by dusk. His revelation that Melania’s input helped him spot the Russian duplicity lends some spice to the drama. Perhaps she should have been in the room with him during these important calls, armed with her real-life experience from her upbringing in the former Yugoslavia.

Meanwhile, allies continue to appreciate Trump’s cunning in getting NATO to shoulder the financial burden of arming Ukraine. This maneuver has left some Americans feeling like they just dodged a defense spending bullet. Watching European nations, who often enjoyed a free ride in military spending, finally up their game is refreshing enough to make one want to wave a tiny American flag. Could it be that Trump’s plan to have Europeans foot the bill for military hardware made in America is finally taking effect?

This aggressive tariff proposal certainly sets the stage for a high-stakes game of global poker. The idea is to inspire countries directly buying from Russia to whisper a little reason into Putin’s ear, much like the ghost of Christmas past urging a change of heart. Could this tariff threat indeed be the ace up Trump’s sleeve, leading to a long-awaited ceasefire and a glimmer of peace? With the Senate’s overwhelming support, including praise from both sides of the aisle, Trump’s gambit might just signal a compelling new chapter in international diplomacy. It’s a precarious dance, but one Trump seems quite willing to lead, probably to the tune of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”