AIM Extra

Donald Trump isn’t making many friends

Since Donald Trump’s election win last November, and particularly since his inauguration, there has been a growing number of instances of him getting offside with world leaders or heads of state. And we’re only in the early stage of his administration. More will emerge in the near and distant future, of that I’m certain. But so far, here’s where we are:

Leaders and Nations Potentially Offside with Trump

Justin Trudeau (Canada)

Context: Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Posts on social media also highlight perceived disrespect toward Canada, suggesting a strained relationship.

Reason: Economic pressure via tariffs and a history of Trump criticising Canada’s trade practices during his first term indicate ongoing friction.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine)

Context: Trump’s push for a rapid peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine war has raised concerns in Ukraine that he might favour terms beneficial to Russia. Trump’s harsher stance on Ukraine compared to Russia, signaling potential misalignment with Zelensky’s goals.

Reason: Trump’s campaign promise to end the war “in 24 hours” and his appointment of a Russia-Ukraine envoy suggest a shift that could sideline Ukrainian interests, creating tension.

Ursula von der Leyen (European Union)

Context: Trump’s first term saw strained relations with the EU over trade and NATO commitments, and his second term promises more tariff disputes, particularly with China, which could indirectly affect EU economies.

Reason: Trump’s “America First” policies and skepticism of multilateral institutions like the EU may put him at odds with von der Leyen and other EU leaders.

Yoon Suk Yeol (South Korea)

Context: Social media posts suggest Trump has been tougher on South Korea than on adversaries like North Korea. His first term included pressure on South Korea to pay more for U.S. troop presence, a stance likely to resurface.

Reason: Trump’s transactional approach to alliances could strain relations if South Korea resists increased financial demands.

Keir Starmer (United Kingdom)

Context: Despite Starmer’s efforts to build ties, social media posts indicate Trump’s harsher rhetoric toward the UK compared to Russia or China. His first term saw him criticise UK leaders, and this pattern may persist.

Reason: Policy differences, such as trade or NATO spending, could create friction despite diplomatic overtures.

Emmanuel Macron (France) and Olaf Scholz (Germany)

Context: After Trump’s election win European leaders congratulated him cautiously, with Macron and Scholz expressing reserved tones. Trump’s past insults to NATO allies and his tariff threats could rekindle tensions.

Reason: Disagreements over NATO, climate policy, and trade may position these leaders as frequent critics or targets of Trump’s ire.

Abdullah II (Jordan)

Context: Trump’s Middle East focus (e.g., pushing Israel-Saudi ties) might marginalise Jordan.

Reason: If Trump prioritizes Israel over broader Arab interests, Jordan could feel sidelined.

Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico)

Context: Trump’s tariff threats extend to Mexico (25% proposed), and X posts cite disrespect toward Mexico. Sheinbaum, who took office in October 2024, faces Trump’s immigration and trade hardline from day one.

Reason: Border security and trade disputes, staples of Trump’s first term, are likely to strain relations with Mexico’s leadership.

Narendra Modi (India)

Context: Social media posts list Modi among those disrespected by Trump. While no specific second-term incident is confirmed, Trump’s tariff threats against all nations could include India, despite their first-term rapport.

Reason: Trade imbalances or strategic differences (e.g., India’s Russia ties) might shift this dynamic.

Notes

Trump’s second term is only 45 days old. Many interactions remain speculative or based on campaign promises rather than documented conflicts.

Social media posts and analyses suggest Trump is softer on leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un while pressuring traditional U.S. allies, a pattern from his first term.

Unverified Claims: Mentions of Greenland and Panama in X posts lack context or evidence tied to this term, so they’re excluded here.

Conclusion

Trump has likely gotten offside with leaders like Trudeau, Zelensky, von der Leyen, Yoon, Starmer, Macron, Scholz, Abdullah II, Sheinbaum, and possibly Modi, based on tariff threats, alliance pressures, and early diplomatic signals. However, this list is preliminary, as his administration’s foreign policy is still unfolding.

References

Tariffs Are Here: How Will They Impact Canadian Businesses?, Mornelle Lee and Henry Dinsdale, Hicks Morley

Trump’s tariff tactics carry higher economic risks than during his first term, Paul Wiseman, AP News

Zelensky Calls Trump Spat ‘Regrettable’, by Samya Kullab and Hanna Arhirova, Time

What is known of Donald Trump’s ‘peace plan’ for Ukraine?, Thomas Latschan, DW

Transatlantic Relations in the Age of Donald Trump, KILIÇ BUĞRA KANAT, JSTOR

America First, Europe alone, Suzanne Lynch, Politico

South Korea fears being sidelined by Trump-Kim revival, Julian Ryall, DW

Facing Trump’s return, South Korea tees up for alliance strains, William Gallo, VOA News

The US has sold Ukraine down the river – and shown Britain what ‘America first’ means in practice, Gaby Hinslif, The Guardian

Europe’s leaders divided over their tactics with Trump, Katya Adler, The BBC

Trump’s Plan to ‘Clean Out’ Gaza Could Upend Jordan, Jesse Marks, Foreign Policy

Sheinbaum, Borderlands, Face High-Stakes Challenges as Trump Returns to Power, Palabra

Trump’s slight to Modi in his deportation of illegal Indian migrants, Sarosh Bana, The National Herald

India–Russia relations, Dr Chietigj Bajpaee and Lisa Toremark, Chatham House

 

 

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View Comments

  • Is Nuclear War the result of not appeasing F-Tard Putin? Can there be an alternativr to Nuclear War between Putin (Not Russia) and the Western NATO Forces?

    If the planet cannot control the worlds' most maniacal enemy RUSSIA, it really needs to wake up and arm itself!

  • 06.03.25 Without any personsl evidence, I look forward to recordimg my personal data.

  • Stolen from Threads
    The UK is a kingdom because it has a king.
    An empire has an emperor.
    A principality has a prince.
    The USA is a country... take from that what you will.

  • There are rays of sunlight as we witness Trump, GOP, American exceptionalism, corruption, white Christian nationalism and narcissism; 'hiding in plain sight' (Kendzior) and sorting wheat from chaff.

    He has successfully, like his newish US' partner in Putin has done too, rallied the rest of the world vs US and Russia. Of interest is how his Anglosphere and European allies; especially Oz 'ultraconservative' elites and faux anti-imperialist tankies of the left, are looking like allies?

    They include (allegedly) Abbott & Murdoch, Pratt, Rhinehart, Downer, Sheridan, Howard et al, like the alleged other side ie. anti-Ukraine tankies inc. Kostakidis, Assange, Keating et al who have become rather mute or coy in 2025?

  • Andrew Smith, given that the offered definition of the word 'tankie' is as follows:

    "Tankie is a pejorative label generally applied to authoritarian communists, especially those who support acts of repression by such regimes, their allies, or deny the occurrence of the events thereof."... are you in fact suggesting that in your above post, as a starting point given the frequency of your use of this word, that Kostakidis, Assange and Keating are (from your perspective) authoritarian communists?

    If this is in fact your considered opinion, one wonders where your credibility lies?

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