Trump & the Right: A Shift in Loyalty?
- While president Donald Trump has been likened to a vanguard of right-wing populist leaders aiming to dismantle the liberal international order, his recent foreign policy decisions suggest a...
- Figures like Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte, and the UK's Boris Johnson have been compared to Trump.
- However, shared ideologies don't guarantee special treatment.
Explore how Trump’s foreign policy prioritizes deals over ideology, potentially reshaping global allegiances and challenging expectations, in this piece from News Directory 3. The article reveals that despite common ground with right-wing populist leaders, like those in Israel and India, shared ideologies did not always guarantee favored treatment. Discover the nuanced ways in wich Trump’s management approached these relationships, often prioritizing economic gains and strategic partnerships over unwavering loyalty. Find out how recent events show a pattern that favors pragmatism. We delve into the case studies of countries like Argentina, El Salvador, and Hungary, and discover that being labeled the “Trump of” a country might not be a winning strategy. Delve deeper to see how these decisions have impacted international dynamics. Discover what’s next…
Trump’s foreign Policy: Populist Ties Don’t Guarantee Favored Treatment
updated may 25, 2025
While president Donald Trump has been likened to a vanguard of right-wing populist leaders aiming to dismantle the liberal international order, his recent foreign policy decisions suggest a different reality. Despite some shared ideologies and endorsements, these leaders aren’t necessarily receiving preferential treatment from the Trump administration.
Figures like Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte, and the UK’s Boris Johnson have been compared to Trump. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and argentina’s Javier Milei have actively cultivated ties with the American right, attending CPAC and appearing on U.S. media.Even in Romania’s presidential election, a candidate identified with the “MAGA ticket.” Trump himself has endorsed figures like Marine Le pen in France, and some of his officials have openly sought to strengthen ties with the global right. Vice President JD Vance criticized the marginalization of right-wing parties in Europe, and Elon Musk has boosted far-right parties in global elections.
However, shared ideologies don’t guarantee special treatment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, who cultivated close ties with Trump and incorporated far-right partners, was reportedly dismayed when Trump engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas, the Houthis, and iran, and embarked on a Middle East tour that excluded Israel.
Similarly, India’s Narendra modi, often compared to Trump for his populist appeal and dismantling of democratic norms, saw his supporters angered when trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, seemingly taking credit and drawing equivalence between the two nations’ positions. Further, Trump publicly criticized Apple’s plan to move iPhone production from China to India.
Even Viktor Orbán,a favorite of CPAC and Tucker Carlson,has expressed frustration,declaring Hungary’s economic relationship with China a “red line,” regardless of Trump’s pressure. This places Orbán in an increasingly awkward position as both a pro-Trump and pro-China leader.
The “Liberation Day” tariffs announced in April further illustrate this point. Argentina, under Javier Milei, and el salvador, under Nayib Bukele, were subjected to the same tariffs as leftist-led governments like Colombia and Brazil.
ultimately, Trump seems more driven by securing deals and quick wins with powerful figures, such as the monarchs of the Middle East, than by ideological alignment. Recent election results in Canada and Australia, where right-wing parties suffered setbacks, suggest that being labeled the “Trump of” a country may not be a winning strategy.
What’s next
As Trump’s foreign policy continues to unfold, it appears that pragmatic considerations and deal-making will likely outweigh ideological affinities, perhaps reshaping alliances and challenging traditional expectations in international relations.