There have been few global figures in the modern era as consequential as Donald Trump. Powerful as he may be, though, Trump does not exist in isolation.
Instead, he is part of an elite echelon of elected officials with whom he is obliged to interact in the course of global business. After a decade of cutting deals, upending relations and generally maneuvering himself to the center of the world stage, here are some of the ways Trump has talked about — and to — his international peers.
“President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad.” — April 2018
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
“The future governor of Canada.” — March 2026
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
“My favorite dictator.” — September 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool!” — October 2019
“He’s a hell of a leader.” — October 2019
“Sometimes you get along with the toughest people, like him.” — July 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping
“We’ve become friends.” — June 2019
“I don’t want to say friend — I don’t want to act foolish, ‘he was my friend’ — but I got along with him great.” — October 2024
“He’s a brilliant guy, whether you like it or not.” — October 2024
“A friend.” — May 2026
“One of the most evil people in history.” — February 2026
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni
“A very successful, very successful politician.” — October 2025
“Do people like her? I can’t imagine. I’m shocked by her. I thought she was brave, but I was wrong.” — April 2026
“It’s her who’s unacceptable.” — April 2026
“Stupid.” — Unknown 2020
“That bitch, Merkel.” — Unknown 2020
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel’s “Warrior Prime Minister.” — June 2026
“Crazy.” — June 2026
“He has no f**king judgement.” — June 2026
“Juan Trump.” — July 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin
A “competitor” who is “not an enemy.” — July 2018
“Great guy” and a “terrific person.” — June 2019
A “genius” who is “pretty savvy.” — February 2022
“Absolutely CRAZY!” — May 2025
“I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.” — May 2025
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
A “great leader.” — July 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.” — March 2026
“He’s two-faced.” — December 2019
“It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” — December 2024
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un
“This maniac sitting here.” — September 2015
“Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.” — September 2017
“Obviously a madman.” — September 2017
“I think you will have a tremendous future with your country, a great leader.” — February 2019
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“His reputation is absolutely sterling.” — September 2019
“Dictator without elections” who “better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.” — February 2025
“I’ve empowered you to be a tough guy, and I don’t think you’d be a tough guy without the United States.” — February 2025
A “difficult character.” — July 2026
“President Putin.” — July 2026
