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"If he says great things about me, I'm going to say great things about him."
During his 2016 campaign, Trump often praised Putin as a strong leader, sparking controversy, especially amid allegations of Russian interference in the US election.
In 2025, US and Russian delegations reportedly engaged in direct talks about the war in Ukraine, without the involvement of the EU or Ukraine itself, raising concerns among allies about the exclusion of key stakeholders from the negotiations.
"Very dishonest & weak."
After the 2018 G7 summit, Trump took to X (then Twitter) to lash out at the Canadian Prime Minister over trade disputes, escalating tensions between the two leaders.
"He's now president for life. President for life. No, he's great."
In 2018, following China's decision to abolish presidential term limits, Trump commented on Xi's extended tenure, suggesting it was commendable.
Trump even jested about the US adopting a similar approach, which alarmed critics concerned about democratic principles.
"We fell in love."
After a historic summit with Kim in 2018, Trump described their relationship in affectionate terms, highlighting the "beautiful letters" exchanged between them.
The tension arose after Trudeau's comments in a press conference, which Trump perceived as a slight.
This marked a significant shift from previous tensions, where both leaders had exchanged threats, with Trump famously calling Kim the "little rocket man."
His eventual acceptance, however, contradicted his earlier stance of prioritizing individual trade agreements over larger multinational deals.
While the nomination was never officially confirmed, it highlighted the international attention on Trump's unconventional approach to foreign policy.
Trump viewed Johnson's leadership as a positive development, especially concerning Brexit.
"No country more nationalist than France, people want to hold onto their own culture."
Trump tweeted this in 2018 while commenting on global nationalist movements. He pointed to France as an example, suggesting that Macron's policies reflected a push to preserve national identity.
"They're saying Britain Trump. They call him Britain Trump, and people are saying that's a good thing. They like me over there."
In 2019, Trump expressed admiration for the then-newly appointed UK Prime Minister, drawing parallels between their political styles.
"He nominated me for the Nobel Peace Prize."
Trump claimed in 2019 that the Japanese Prime Minister had nominated him for the prestigious award, citing efforts to engage North Korea diplomatically.
Trump also criticized Macron for having a "very low approval rating" and accused France of engaging in "unfair trade practices."
"I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn't agree, she didn't listen to me."
Trump criticized the former UK Prime Minister's handling of Brexit negotiations in 2018, implying that his advice was disregarded.
"Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing and I just wanted to call and tell you that."
In a 2017 phone call, Trump praised former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial anti-drug campaign, which faced international condemnation for human rights violations.
This commendation raised concerns about the US' stance on human rights under Trump's administration.
"I looked forward to going, but I thought that the Prime Minister's statement that it was absurd — that it was an absurd idea — was nasty."
After the Danish Prime Minister dismissed Trump's 2019 proposal to buy Greenland, he called her comments "nasty" and canceled a state visit.
Trump revisited the topic again in 2025, reigniting debates over US strategic interests in the Arctic nation.
"A dictator without elections."
In February 2025, Trump escalated his criticism of Zelenskyy by labeling him a "dictator" due to postponed elections amidst the ongoing conflict.
This statement drew widespread condemnation from international allies, who reaffirmed Zelenskyy's democratic legitimacy and criticized Trump's remarks as misleading and harmful to Ukraine's sovereignty.
"They do nothing without our approval."
In 2018, Trump suggested that South Korea's diplomatic initiatives with North Korea were closely coordinated with the US.
"It's a regime that, frankly, could be toppled very quickly by the military if the military decides to do that."
In 2019, Trump addressed the political crisis in Venezuela, suggesting that Maduro's government was vulnerable.
This remark downplayed Moon's role in fostering inter-Korean dialogue and reinforced the perception of US dominance in regional affairs.
Sources: (BBC) (The Guardian) (CNN) (ABC News) (Vox)
See also: The most outrageous scandals of Donald Trump's political career
He hinted at potential US actions to support regime change, aligning with his administration's recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Trump suggested that a different approach might have yielded better results, reflecting his broader skepticism towards multilateral agreements.
"Oh, we'll do a deal with Europe then."
Trump finally said after rejecting an explanation 11 times, according to a German official. German Chancellor Angela Merkel had to clarify EU trade deals repeatedly before Trump acknowledged the concept.
Donald Trump's remarks to foreign leaders have often been bold, controversial, and headline-making. From praising Vladimir Putin and declaring he "fell in love" with Kim Jong-un to calling Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator" in 2025, his words have shaped global diplomacy.
This gallery explores Trump's most memorable quotes to and about foreign leaders, offering insight into his unfiltered and often unpredictable approach to international relations. Click on for more.
Questionable quotes: Donald Trump's statements to foreign leaders
A look at Trump's most controversial and surprising remarks on world leaders
LIFESTYLE Geopolitics
Donald Trump's remarks to foreign leaders have often been bold, controversial, and headline-making. From praising Vladimir Putin and declaring he "fell in love" with Kim Jong-un to calling Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator" in 2025, his words have shaped global diplomacy.
This gallery explores Trump's most memorable quotes to and about foreign leaders, offering insight into his unfiltered and often unpredictable approach to international relations. Click on for more.