The Political Boost: How Trump’s Diplomacy Affects World Leaders’ Approval Ratings
Leaders like Trudeau, Sheinbaum, and Zelenskyy have seen rising approval ratings amid negotiations with Trump, framing their strategies as beneficial for national interests. The interplay between international tensions and domestic politics reveals how these leaders can use controversial diplomacy to enhance their popularity.
Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, diplomatic tensions have risen globally, yet several world leaders, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau, Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have recorded gains in approval ratings during their negotiations with him. These leaders have framed their interactions, often combative, as necessary to protect their countries while also capitalizing on the political fallout to bolster their domestic popularity.
Justin Trudeau, who served as Canada’s Prime Minister since 2015, faced intensified pressures leading to his resignation amidst rising living costs and internal party conflicts. Trump’s threats of tariffs exacerbated this pressure. Trudeau’s shift from a passive to a more assertive public stance against Trump helped stem the Conservatives’ lead in the polls, where Liberal support narrowed from a 24-point deficit to just 5.5 points.
After Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first female president in October 2024, she adopted a proactive stance against Trump’s tariff threats, deploying troops to the Mexico-US border as a countermeasure. Her approval ratings surged, with polls indicating 80%-85% approval, the highest for a Mexican president in decades, partially fueled by public support for her handling of negotiations with Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy experienced a rise in approval ratings following a public confrontation with Trump, where he maintained a conciliatory tone despite Trump’s harsh criticisms. A survey indicated a 10-point jump in trust towards Zelenskyy, likely reflecting a unified national sentiment against perceived aggression from the US administration.
In Europe, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have also seen boosts in their approval ratings amid diplomatic involvement in the Ukraine crisis. Starmer’s ratings increased from 22% to 27% as he engaged with allies to create potential peace plans, while Macron’s approval rose similarly, attributed to his adept handling of international crises, including relations with Trump.
The interactions between President Trump and various world leaders have paradoxically enhanced the domestic popularity of leaders like Justin Trudeau, Claudia Sheinbaum, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Their strategic negotiations with Trump, often in response to his provocations, have appeared to strengthen their political positions at home. This phenomenon underscores the intricate dynamics of global politics, where individual leaders can leverage international tensions to benefit their domestic standing.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
