Why Trump’s biggest global allies aren’t very happy with him

Could President Donald Trump be leading a group of right-wing populist world leaders who are collaborating to dismantle the liberal international order while strengthening their power locally? This is a possibility, but recent foreign policy actions suggest otherwise. Various anti-establishment politicians worldwide, such as Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, and Boris Johnson of the UK, have been compared to Trump. Some, like Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Argentina’s Javier Milei, have established connections with the American right during the Trump era. Despite occasionally endorsing right-wing politicians in other countries, Trump and his officials do not guarantee special treatment to nations led by such figures.

For instance, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has built strong ties with the US Republican Party and Trump, found himself surprised when Trump engaged in direct talks with groups like Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran, neglecting Israel. Similarly, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shares similarities with Trump in terms of populism and dismantling democratic norms, was displeased by Trump’s remarks during a ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan. Trump’s actions, such as criticizing Apple’s relocation plans from China to India, have not always aligned with the interests of his supporters in countries like India and Hungary, causing some frustrations.

Trump’s foreign policy decisions, like the “Liberation Day” tariffs and his interactions with various world leaders, suggest that political affinity does not dictate his approach. While some leaders may have expected favorable treatment due to their alignment with Trump’s views, they often find themselves facing similar challenges as those led by leftist governments. Ultimately, Trump’s focus appears to be on securing deals and quick wins from influential figures rather than supporting leaders who share his ideologies. Despite the initial comparisons and expectations, Trump’s legacy in promoting global far-right populism seems uncertain, and he does not seem overly concerned about it.