I would say it depends of the context. Negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine and making sure the other party is not only trying to buy time sounds OK in my book. On the other trying to get the upper hand in a trade treaty is not so great. And the European case it is probably more of the later.
You have to take into account, that a trade deal is something your enter voluntarily between partners/allies in the hope it will be a win-win for both sides. If there is an information asymmetry, you don't negotiate as equal, but rather as dupe and knave.
Would you sit at a poker table if you knew the cards where marked ?
In regards of the revelation, even if there are a few years old, at the time of tense TIPP negotiation, it makes a bad impression.
Comments
I would say it depends of the context. Negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine and making sure the other party is not only trying to buy time sounds OK in my book. On the other trying to get the upper hand in a trade treaty is not so great. And the European case it is probably more of the later.
What's wrong with that? Trying to get the best deal for your side is the entire point of a negotiation.
You have to take into account, that a trade deal is something your enter voluntarily between partners/allies in the hope it will be a win-win for both sides. If there is an information asymmetry, you don't negotiate as equal, but rather as dupe and knave.
Would you sit at a poker table if you knew the cards where marked ?
In regards of the revelation, even if there are a few years old, at the time of tense TIPP negotiation, it makes a bad impression.
If I knew the cards were marked and how
And I knew exactly how much or how little each of the other players knew about - the marking system - and the other players' knowledge of it
And I knew that I was the only one at the table with the power to punish any bad actors
And I knew that my family needed money I didn't have
Why on earth would I stay away?