Donald Trump's Most Awkward Diplomatic Moments with Global Leaders
Former US President Donald Trump launched his political career in 2015 by declaring he did not consider himself a conventional diplomat. In an interview with the New York Times, he asserted that if elected president, he would have a "great relationship" with fellow world leaders, claiming to be "the best dealmaker there is." However, his time on the global stage was characterised by a series of tentative, awkward, and often strained interactions with heads of state.
The Infamous Merkel Handshake Snub
One of the earliest widely reported incidents occurred on 17 March 2017, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the Oval Office. During a photo opportunity, photographers requested a handshake. Merkel turned to Trump and asked, "Do you want to have a handshake?" Video footage shows Trump, seated beside her, staring straight ahead without responding. It remains unclear whether he heard the question, but the moment quickly went viral online, symbolising the chilly nature of their relationship.
NATO Summit and the Montenegro Push
Just months into his first term, at a NATO summit in Brussels, Trump joined leaders for a group photograph. Footage appears to show him pushing past Duško Marković, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, to position himself at the front. Once repositioned, Marković turned towards Trump with a smile, anticipating a discussion. The then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer later stated, "I have not seen the video," when questioned about the incident.
The Fluctuating Rapport with Emmanuel Macron
Trump's diplomatic relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron has experienced significant fluctuations since 2017. Their initial encounters were marked by exceptionally prolonged and firm handshakes, followed by traditional French cheek kisses. The relationship evolved into a publicly cordial one, though with occasional exceptions. In one episode, Trump used his Truth Social platform to share a private message from Macron, then quipped to reporters, "He will soon be leaving office."
The Handshake Tugging Tendency
Trump's handshake style became a recurring topic, with commentators noting his inclination to pull or yank on the other individual's arm. This pattern was first prominently observed during a 2017 encounter with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, where their handshake lasted approximately 19 seconds and featured visible tugging that appeared to bewilder Abe. A similar occurrence took place with Paraguay's President Santiago Peña at the "Shield of the Americas" summit, where Trump continually pulled Peña's hand back and forth while smiling for cameras.
Historic Meeting with Kim Jong-un
In June 2018, Trump made history by meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore, the first such meeting between US and North Korean leaders. As both prepared to sit for a formal lunch, Trump addressed photographers, joking, "Getting a good picture, everybody? So we look nice and handsome and thin?" The camera then shifted to Kim, who looked slightly puzzled, as the comment seemingly did not translate effectively during the interaction.
The Finnish Forest Raking Controversy
Following the California wildfires in 2018, Trump publicly cited a conversation with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö while discussing wildfire management. He told reporters, "I was with the President of Finland and he said we have – much different – we are a forest nation... And they spend a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things, and they don't have any problem." Niinistö later confirmed he could not recall making any suggestion about raking forests during their discussion.
Tense Encounter with Volodymyr Zelenskyy
During his second term, Trump was involved in a tense moment on 28 February 2025, when he and US Vice President JD Vance welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The televised meeting, intended to discuss US support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, quickly became heated. In the closing moments, both Trump and Vance repeatedly condemned Zelenskyy for what they called a "lack of gratitude," frequently interrupting him. Numerous media outlets noted this as an extraordinarily public dispute between a US president and a foreign leader.
Gaza Peace Summit Awkwardness
The Gaza peace summit in 2025 produced several striking moments. Trump made remarks aimed at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni while on stage, stating, "She's a beautiful young woman. If you use the word 'beautiful' in the United States about a woman, that's the end of your political career, but I'll take my chances." Addressing Meloni directly, he enquired, "You don't mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are." Minutes later, he momentarily summoned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by asking, mid-speech, "Where is the United Kingdom?" Starmer approached as if to speak, only for Trump to say, "It's very nice that you're here," before resuming his speech, leaving Starmer to return to his spot.
Canadian Prime Minister Mix-up
At the same summit, Trump referenced Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as the "president" of Canada. Carney was heard quipping, "I'm glad you upgraded me to president!" Trump responded with a chuckle, saying, "Did I say that?" before adding, "At least I didn't say governor" – a nod to a comment he once made about Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau. Most recently, Trump had also referred to Carney as Governor, suggesting Canada would become a US state.
