White House visits by foreign leaders, once characterized by polite diplomacy and amicable photo opportunities, have been dramatically upended by President Donald Trump’s public confrontations, causing alarm among some international figures, CNN reports.
A Shift in Diplomatic Norms
CNN highlighted President Trump’s public rebuke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February as a prime example of this new approach. “You weren’t acting very grateful,” Trump reportedly chastised Zelensky, with Vice President JD Vance adding to the pressure in front of international media. As the Ukrainian leader sought more aid for his country’s war with Russia, Trump reportedly threatened to abandon Ukraine entirely, causing the meeting to devolve into a heated exchange.
Foreign dignitaries have interpreted this visit – along with Trump’s unsubstantiated accusations of genocide against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and tense exchanges with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – as a clear sign that Oval Office visits during a potential second Trump term will require a different kind of preparation.
“Diplomatic Jiu Jitsu” and Avoiding Public Disagreement
Five former senior diplomats who managed preparations for such meetings likened Trump’s White House to a boxing ring or a television set. Dignitaries now say leaders must mentally prepare for “diplomatic jiu jitsu,” provocations, or even “North Korean-style adoration.” The cardinal rule: never, ever publicly contradict Trump in front of cameras.
“Never contradict Trump publicly, because he will lose face, and that’s something he cannot accept,” said Gérard Araud, who served as France’s ambassador to the U.S. during Trump’s first presidency.
There are indications that even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his close relationship with Trump, is attempting to avoid any potential clashes ahead of his planned White House visit on Monday. After Trump’s statement last Tuesday that he planned to be “very tough” with Netanyahu regarding the need for a Gaza ceasefire, an Israeli official indicated they had accepted the terms of a 60-day ceasefire proposal approximately 24 hours later.
“A Great Show” or “Diplomatic Vandalism”?
Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis described Oval Office visits under Trump as “occasions for Trump to present himself as the alpha leader, you know, pushing others aside and diminishing them.” He told CNN, “This is a show.” Trump himself reportedly underscored this point as his meeting with Zelensky concluded, joking, “This is going to be a great show.”
Arturo Sarukhán, former Mexican ambassador to Washington, characterized the meetings as “diplomatic vandalism and provocation.”
