Rob Arnott had staff read this ChatGPT summary to prep for trade war
Mar 17, 2025 - businessinsider.com
Rob Arnott, founder of Research Affiliates, linked President Donald Trump's tariff strategy to Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," suggesting that the book's principles explain Trump's approach to trade negotiations. Arnott believes that achieving victory without battle, a key concept from the book, aligns with Trump's tactics of using bold and provocative stances to achieve his goals. Instead of having his team read the entire book, Arnott opted for a ChatGPT summary to convey its key insights, which include the importance of strategy, knowing one's enemy, the element of surprise, and winning without fighting.
The 394-word summary obtained by Business Insider highlights several of Sun Tzu's principles, such as the significance of strategic planning, understanding both one's own and the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, and the use of espionage. It also emphasizes the value of psychological warfare, efficient resource use, and adaptability. These insights, although originating from military strategy, have found relevance in various modern fields, including business and diplomacy, illustrating the timeless applicability of "The Art of War."
Key takeaways:
Rob Arnott linked Trump's tariff strategy to Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War.'
Arnott had his team read a ChatGPT summary of the book instead of the full text.
The summary highlights key insights such as the importance of strategy, knowing your enemy, and winning without fighting.
Sun Tzu's principles have applications beyond the military, including business and diplomacy.
