Trump says his unpredictable style gives him leverage. But it has a cost

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump, who considers himself a master dealmaker, has never made a secret of his belief that the secret to winning at negotiation is to keep the other side off balance.

But a year into his second term, his act is starting to wear on both allies and adversaries, some of whom are starting to view him as so mercurial and unreliable that they appear willing to consider waiting him out or turning away, rather than enduring the abrupt starts, stops and humiliations that can accompany engaging with him.