Trump’s world leaders club: who’s in and who’s looking to salvage ties
It’s been a whirlwind week in international politics as President Donald Trump re-enters the White House for his second term. The world is watching closely as Trump swiftly overturns Biden administration policies, withdraws from major international agreements, and sets a new tone for global relations.
One of the key players in this geopolitical dance is Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has been dubbed the “Trump whisperer” and the “preferred interlocutor in the EU.” Meloni, a conservative leader, has already expressed support for Trump’s stance on issues like increasing NATO defense spending. She recently attended Trump’s inauguration and is seen as a crucial ally amid fears of a potential trade war with Europe.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a longtime ally of Trump, is also making moves to strengthen ties with the U.S. Orban has declared his intention to launch an “offensive” against the left-liberal establishment in Brussels, and is keen to work closely with Trump on key issues.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s President Javier Milei is looking to expand relations with the U.S. and may even consider leaving the Mercosur trade bloc in order to secure a new trade deal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also seeking a trade deal with the U.S. as India looks to reduce its reliance on China.
In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated Trump on his inauguration and expressed optimism about the future of the U.S.-Israel alliance. Despite past tensions, the two leaders are expected to maintain a strong relationship.
On the other side of the coin, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing challenges in his relationship with Trump, having previously criticized the U.S. president. Starmer has pledged to work with Trump but faces an uphill battle in maintaining the “special relationship” between the U.S. and UK.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are also gearing up for a potentially rocky relationship with Trump. Macron has issued warnings about the need for a “European strategic wake-up call” and emphasized the importance of European unity in the face of U.S. tariffs. Scholz has pledged to stand united with European allies and face the challenges posed by Trump head-on.
As world leaders navigate the shifting geopolitical landscape, one thing is clear – the next four years under a second Trump administration are likely to be filled with uncertainty and change. Adversaries and allies alike are bracing themselves for a new era of international relations, with Trump at the helm once again.
