One of the most used talking points elected Democrats and left-wing pundits – some of whom identify as journalists – like to fire off in President Donald Trump’s direction is that he has no respect on the world stage. President Barack Obama, they say, was greatly respected by other world leaders. So was Joe Biden, apparently – which seems a little hard to swallow, given the obvious physical and cognitive decline he could not hide while in office. No one respects Trump, though. So his detractors say. But, if it wasn’t already clear, the respect prime ministers and presidents from across the globe have for Trump was on full display in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Oct. 13.
Not for the first time, Trump commanded the attention of all present. On many previous occasions, meeting with multiple world leaders or senior foreign officials, he has seemed at ease with the role of master of ceremonies, essentially, while his foreign counterparts buzzed around him in a way that never quite happened with Biden, Obama, or George W. Bush.
Is Trump personally popular with these leaders? Do they like him? Chances are some do and others don’t. Yet, one can be respected without being liked, and, in his presence, the others seem to know their place, most of the time.
There was a moment during the peace summit that spoke volumes about the sway the US president holds over his fellow leaders. Trump was at the podium, praising so many for attending the meeting at such short notice. He listed some of the countries, including the United Kingdom. Among those standing behind Trump was British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “Where’s United Kingdom?” Trump asked and turned to look behind him. Starmer, thinking he was being summoned, stepped forward.
Trump doesn’t miss a beat in such situations. He grasped the British leader’s hand and told him it was good to see him. Then, without a pause, Trump turned his back on Starmer and continued delivering his remarks as if nothing had happened. Starmer, looking a little nonplussed, sheepishly moved back to his place. There was no doubt who was in charge.
When the business was done at Sharm el-Sheikh, every one of those leaders lined up to shake Trump’s hand before the group photo. The US president was also awarded the Order of the Nile, Egypt’s highest civilian honor.
It’s not just heads of state who respect Trump and often appear to enjoy his attention. Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, has lavished praise on the US president, crediting him with coaxing member-states to increase defense spending.
Even FIFA President Gianni Infantino showed up for the peace summit and got his picture taken with the US president, both men grinning and giving Trump’s trademark thumbs-up. “FIFA is here to help,” said the head of the international football (soccer) federation, “to assist and to put ourselves at disposal for whatever we can do to make sure that this peace process comes to fruition and to the best possible end.”
Is Trump the most respected US president of modern times on the world stage? Maybe he is. Even if not, one thing is for sure – the left’s narrative that the world has no respect for him is very clearly inaccurate. As in the Middle East, Trump has bent world events and international relationships to his will, more so than any president since perhaps Ronald Reagan. The presidents who served during the intervening years influenced world events almost exclusively through the use of military force. Only a respected statesman can do so through deal-making and negotiation.