Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is a figure known for stirring controversy on a global scale. Throughout his presidency, Trump implemented many bold and unconventional policies that generated both strong support and significant opposition. However, despite facing criticism in many parts of the world, Donald Trump has garnered admiration from several countries and leaders who appreciate his leadership style. This article explores some of the prominent countries that admired Donald Trump during his presidency.
1. Israel: A Strong Relationship
One of the most prominent countries that showed clear support for Donald Trump is Israel. The relationship between Trump and Israel was one of the strongest aspects of his foreign policy. Trump made a historic decision in 2017 by moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This move was warmly welcomed by Israel, as Jerusalem holds immense religious and political significance for the Jewish people and is central to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In addition to moving the embassy, Trump also pushed for peace agreements between Israel and Arab countries, brokering the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. These agreements helped Israel expand relations with Arab nations, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Israel viewed Trump as a strong ally and a leader who made decisive moves to protect Israel’s security.
2. Brazil: President Jair Bolsonaro and Donald Trump
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro was one of the prominent leaders who expressed admiration for Donald Trump. Since taking office in 2019, Bolsonaro has openly praised Trump and frequently highlighted his leadership style. Both leaders share similar views on nationalism, conservative values, and resistance to globalization.
Bolsonaro has often called for learning from Trump’s decisions, particularly in resisting globalist policies and protecting national interests. The relationship between the U.S. and Brazil grew under Trump, with increased cooperation in areas such as trade, security, and counterterrorism. The combination of Bolsonaro’s conservative policies and Trump’s assertive leadership created a notable alliance in South America.
3. Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is another European leader who expressed admiration for Donald Trump. Orbán has publicly supported Trump, especially on issues related to nationalism, anti-immigration policies, and the protection of national sovereignty. Orbán and Trump share similar views on resisting globalism and multiculturalism, and both have advocated for policies that protect borders and limit immigration.
Orbán is one of the few European leaders who openly supported Trump, especially at international forums. Under Orbán’s leadership, Hungary has pushed forward with conservative, nationalist policies, similar to Trump’s approach. The relationship between the U.S. and Hungary during Trump’s presidency was strong, with increased cooperation on international and security issues.
4. Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was another leader who expressed admiration for Donald Trump. Duterte and Trump had a close relationship during the early years of Trump’s presidency. Duterte praised Trump’s strong leadership style and his stance on counterterrorism and the war on drugs.
Although Duterte occasionally criticized the U.S. and sought closer ties with China, he maintained a good relationship with Trump. Duterte frequently expressed support for Trump’s policies, especially on trade and security in the region. The U.S.-Philippines relationship continued to develop under Trump, with strong cooperation in security and military matters.
5. Russia: President Vladimir Putin
Another country that had a particularly strong relationship with Donald Trump was Russia. Although the relationship between Trump and Russia was highly controversial and drew criticism from Trump’s political opponents, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed open admiration for Trump. Putin praised Trump’s leadership style and his ability to negotiate on global issues.
Throughout his presidency, Trump often took a more lenient approach toward Russia, particularly regarding issues in Syria and Ukraine. While the Trump administration did implement sanctions against Russia, Trump maintained a diplomatic tone and sought a closer relationship with Putin. Putin saw Trump as a leader who could potentially reshape U.S.-Russia relations and expressed regret when Trump did not secure re-election in 2020.
Conclusion: A Controversial Leadership Style, Yet Admired by Some
While Donald Trump was a controversial figure, often criticized for his policies and rhetoric, he garnered admiration from several countries and leaders across the globe. Nations like Israel, Brazil, Hungary, the Philippines, and Russia showed support for Trump’s strong leadership style, as well as his nationalist and protectionist policies.
This admiration likely stemmed from Trump’s decisive foreign policy moves and his confident approach on the global stage. While not every country shared Trump’s views, the support from these nations highlighted a different aspect of his leadership legacy. Trump’s ability to build strong bilateral relationships based on shared values such as nationalism and sovereignty left a significant mark on international relations during his time in office.
