Swiss Negotiation Expert Schranner Wants to Support Trump as Advisor

Schranner also takes a critical look at Trump's rhetoric. With a view to aggressive tones in international disputes, he warns: „In Wirklichkeit ist das eine Einladung zur Aggressivität." The negotiation expert sees such communication patterns as an obstacle to viable compromises and instead advocates a structured, de-escalating approach to dialogue.

Criticism of Aggressive Rhetoric

Schranner sees the greatest need for action in the Middle East. When asked about a solution to the Middle East conflict, he pointed to the various failed attempts of past decades and called for a comprehensive approach. „Ich glaube, dass die Schweiz und die Schweizer Diplomatie die einzigen sind, die das Ganze jetzt wirklich vorantreiben können", said Schranner.

The Swiss expert emphasized that the region required a „großen Wurfes" that would address all conflict areas simultaneously. He explicitly counted among these the tensions between Israel and Palestine as well as the role of regional actors such as Tehran. He considers an isolated examination of individual points of dispute to be unproductive.

Swiss Diplomacy as the Key

The background to the initiative is Schranner's book project, which is enriched with numerous case studies from business and politics. In it, he analyzes, among other things, the various attempts to resolve the Middle East conflict and provides insights into his negotiation knowledge. The work also serves him as a platform to present his advisory offerings to a broader audience.

Schranner sees traditional Swiss diplomacy as a trump card in negotiations. The Swiss Confederation's long-standing experience as a mediator in international conflicts – such as in the protection of mandate territories or in humanitarian initiatives – offers a credibility that other states cannot demonstrate to the same degree. In his assessment, this position should be used more strongly.

Geopolitical Tensions in Focus

Schranner also commented on the relationship between Washington and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. He sees the dynamic between the two heads of state as an area in which professional negotiation is particularly in demand. He considers aggressive verbal exchanges, as have been observed in the recent past, to be counterproductive.

For the coming months, Schranner announced that he would intensify contact with political decision-makers in the US and Europe. He wanted to show that principles of negotiation psychology – such as the concept of „Win-win" – can also be applied to geopolitical conflicts. His ambition is that, in the end, all sides can support a solution.

Outlook on Upcoming Talks

Observers assess the move as unusual, as advisory offers to incumbent US presidents usually go through formal channels. With his initiative, Schranner is taking the route via media publicity and is counting on his publications and appearances to generate attention. Whether this will actually lead to an official role remains to be seen.

What is certain is that the negotiation expert has triggered a debate with his initiative about the role of professional mediation competence in high-level politics. The combination of Swiss diplomatic experience and American political power appears in his eyes to be a combination that could defuse international conflicts – provided the interlocutors are willing to muster the discipline required for this.

Overall, it is becoming clear that Schranner wants to deliberately sharpen his profile as a foreign policy advisor. His offer to Trump should therefore be understood less as mere self-promotion and more as an attempt to anchor methods of negotiation more firmly in international politics. The response in Washington and in the European capitals will show whether this approach bears fruit.