ART OF NO DEALS

CEOs are Trump’s friends, but without benefits

Being friends with President Trump often comes without benefits.

Trump’s decision late Monday to halt a proposed takeover of chipmaker Qualcomm by a Singapore-based rival brought to four the number of deals proposed by companies friendly to him the White House has stepped in front of.

Each of the companies is headed by a chief executive close to Trump — and whom the president has highly praised.

“I believe his instincts of being a nationalist is represented in these actions,” a Republican lobbyist said.

“I think the president is very unpredictable,” said a source with direct knowledge of Qualcomm’s successful defense against a hostile bid by Broadcom.

While each of the executives promised to create jobs or bring other positives to the economy — things close to Trump’s heart — the White House objected to their companies’ deals based on larger concerns, be it national security or harm to consumers.

“I think a victory in one month does not mean a victory one month later,” the source said, pointing to Trump being chummy with Broadcom CEO Hock Tan — only to then move to stop the deal.

Tan appeared with Trump at a November White House event where the business leader said he would move his company — and jobs — to the US.

The words brought a smile to Trump’s face.

“We are thrilled to welcome … Tan to the WH,” Trump said in a tweet.

Days later, Tan announced his hostile bid for Qualcomm, whose chips are used in 5G cellphones and by the military.

Trump’s Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, or CFIUS, soon soured on the deal. On Monday, Trump blocked the deal, citing national security concerns.

To be sure, Trump did not stop Broadcom’s $5.5 billion November purchase of net- work gearmaker Brocade weeks after appearing with Tan.

Alibaba Founder Jack Ma met with Trump on Jan. 9, 2017 — and spoke about how his Chinese company planned to create American jobs.

Less than three weeks later, Ma’s China-based Ant Financial announced a deal to buy Dallas-based MoneyGram.

CFIUS refused to clear the deal — again, on security concerns.

AT&T chief Randall Stephenson’s company was one of the biggest donors to the president’s inauguration. Yet, Trump’s Department of Justice sued to stop AT&T from buying Time Warner.

A trial to determine the merits of the case starts Monday.

Also, Trump met with Anthem chief Joseph Swedish to talk about the health care landscape, yet let his DOJ put the finishing touches on the Obama suit blocking Anthem from buying Cigna.

“I think the things Trump is going to support remain clear: jobs and industry,” a second source who also has direct knowledge of the Broadcom discussions said.

“Broadcom [if it bought Qualcomm] was going to ultimately decrease jobs,” the second source said, to gain efficiencies.