Kings and despots historically used spending and taxes (tariffs) to control their subjects, to reward loyalty and punish dissent.

Tariffs are a means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition would-be-king Trump for relief.

He is using access to government funds to bully universities, law firms and state and local governments into loyalty pledges.

Relief will come to industry and institutions that pledge loyalty (fealty).

Trumps strategy. is from the playbook for democratically elected leaders who want to stay in power forever.