Foreign leaders are actively engaging with President-elect Trump, seeking to gain insight into his views and influence ahead of his inauguration, as many anticipate substantial changes in U.S. foreign policy and its global economic approach under his administration.
Since winning the election, Trump has had discussions with a diverse range of world leaders. This Saturday, he will travel to Paris for the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral, an event that French President Emmanuel Macron hopes will enhance his rapport with the incoming president.
Trump’s transition team notes a surge of international interest as leaders seek to influence U.S. policy
Joining other notable figures, including first lady Jill Biden, Trump will participate in this significant ceremony, celebrating the restoration of the cathedral, which suffered devastating damage in a fire in 2019. In the weeks following his election victory, Trump has been receptive to calls from various global leaders, with Macron among the first to extend congratulations.
“Foreign leaders are coming to the table to meet with President Trump because they know he will restore peace through strength and reclaim America’s dominance on the world stage,” stated Taylor Rogers, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team.
Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago in response to Trump’s threats of tariffs against Canada, exemplifying how international leaders are preparing for a transformative U.S. administration.
“The playbook is pretty clear: flattery, deliverables, and appealing gestures,” explained Brett Bruen, president of the Global Situation Room and a former U.S. diplomat. “What you observed from Macron was a strategic move to initiate a positive relationship with Trump, which has clearly been well-received.”
Bruen further emphasized that world leaders should adopt this approach, noting, “There are two options with Trump: be a friend and flatterer, or find yourself in his crosshairs.”
While President Biden focused on reinforcing alliances and restoring America’s role in global leadership, particularly in support of Ukraine, Trump has signaled a return to an “America First” stance that may be confrontational toward traditional allies and organizations such as NATO and the UN.
He has also indicated a willingness to impose tariffs on foreign imports from key trading partners, including Mexico, Canada, and European nations. During Trump’s initial term, his relationship with Macron fluctuated. Although his first state dinner honored Macron, Trump later threatened tariffs on French goods, which caused tensions between them.
Macron’s outreach reflects the efforts of various world leaders to connect with Trump before he assumes office, anticipating significant changes in U.S. trade and foreign policies.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky both reached out to Trump soon after the election results were announced. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo spoke with Trump following his warning of steep tariffs on Mexico unless it addressed immigration and drug trafficking issues at the southern border.
Global leaders employ flattery and strategic gestures to build rapport with President-elect Trump
Trudeau’s visit to Mar-a-Lago came after Trump made similar threats against Canada, illustrating the urgency among leaders to establish dialogue with the president-elect. While some experts suggest that Trump’s tariff threats are negotiating tactics, they have certainly garnered the attention of leaders in Mexico and Canada.
“It’s pushing those leaders to make a change, to do something,” Nikki Haley, Trump’s former ambassador to the UN, remarked on her SiriusXM show. “When he threatens it on the economy, he’s actually going to do it. I think this was an effort to compel Canada and Mexico to take action.”
The high level of interaction between Trump and foreign leaders is not unprecedented, a fact acknowledged even by the Biden administration. “Is it appropriate for foreign leaders to speak to an incoming president-elect? Yeah, of course it is,” stated White House spokesperson John Kirby as President Biden traveled to Angola.
This weekend marks a rare public appearance for Trump, who has mostly stayed at Mar-a-Lago since his election victory about a month ago. Last month, Trump visited Washington, D.C., to meet with Republican lawmakers and also met with President Biden at the White House. Additionally, he attended a SpaceX launch in Texas alongside GOP supporters and Elon Musk.
Despite these events, Trump has generally remained out of the public eye, a departure from his typical behavior. However, this will change with his upcoming trip to France and a scheduled interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” set to air on Sunday morning, just a day after his Paris visit.
