President Donald Trump’s bestselling book The Art of the Deal surged to the top ranks on Amazon’s bestseller list following his strategic pause on reciprocal tariffs against most nations and a tariff increase against China. The maneuver, widely viewed as a calculated economic play, caused markets to rally and drew fresh attention to Trump’s signature negotiation tactics outlined in the book.
Following Wednesday’s announcement, The Art of the Deal climbed to number four overall on Amazon’s bestseller list. It claimed the top spot in the “Biographies of Business & Industrial Professionals” category, second place in “Motivational Management & Leadership,” and third in “Business & Money.”
The timing of the book’s rise correlates directly with Trump’s tariff decision. Initially escalating tariffs on Chinese imports—following Beijing’s retaliatory hikes and sanctions—the administration then paused tariffs for other nations for 90 days. Trump’s stated goal is to secure “zero-for-zero” trade deals with allies like Japan, India, and the European Union.
Markets responded positively to the pause, interpreting the move as both strong and measured. Investors and business leaders took note. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who earlier called for a 90-day pause, praised the strategy, calling it “brilliantly executed” and a textbook example of Trump’s negotiation philosophy.
Originally published in 1987 and co-authored with Tony Schwartz, The Art of the Deal lays out 11 negotiation principles. Among them are “use your leverage,” “maximize your options,” and “think big”—strategies visibly mirrored in Trump’s recent handling of trade policy. The renewed interest in the book suggests that Americans are turning to Trump’s own writings to understand his approach to global economic negotiations.
The resurgence of The Art of the Deal is not just a publishing milestone but also a signal of Trump’s influence in shaping public discourse and economic strategy. As tariff talks continue and trade realignments unfold, the book’s popularity reflects renewed interest in Trump’s original philosophy of dealmaking.
