They have complimented his golfing skills, nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, and even compared him to a "father figure".

Experts suggest this praise isn't coincidental, especially after Trump's often strained relationships with world leaders during his first term.

President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on 6/7. Photo: AP

President Donald Trump at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on 6/7. Photo: AP

Many foreign leaders have learned that one of the best ways to get closer to the US in the Trump era is to boost the president's ego.

"Leaders who have tried to confront him haven't fared well, and there seems to be a competition to see who can please him the most," observed Jon Alterman, chair in global security and geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Alterman believes world leaders are leveraging Trump's desire to be seen as a "historic figure" to "advance their interests with the US".

Each country has its own priorities. For some, the goal may be to avoid high tariffs. Others hope Trump will help resolve regional conflicts. Regardless of the reason, their strategy is clear.

This was evident last week when, during a White House meeting on 9/7, African leaders said Trump "deserved the Nobel Peace Prize." Leaders from Israel and Pakistan have made similar overtures.

"President Trump's bold leadership and vision has advanced diplomacy not through conflict and extremism, but through cooperation, dialogue, and shared prosperity," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in a nomination letter he shared with Trump during a White House dinner.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, complaining that if his "name were Obama," he would have been awarded the prize "after 10 seconds".

"I'm not going to get the Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, whether it's Russia and Ukraine, or Israel and Iran, no matter what the outcome is, but the people know, and that’s all that matters to me," he wrote in a June post on Truth Social.

In his inaugural address, Trump stated that his "proudest legacy" would stem from efforts to "build peace and unity".

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Trump has a "proven history of securing peace around the world," highlighting his mediation of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and de-escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan.

Kelly added that "the president's diplomacy has yielded tangible results: NATO allies have pledged a 5% increase in defense spending, El Salvador is jailing illegal immigrant terrorists in their own prisons, and Gulf nations have invested heavily in the US economy".

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership, America is respected again, making the world safer and more prosperous," she declared.

World leaders aren't just praising Trump's international negotiations; they are also focusing on his personal side.

At the NATO summit in the Netherlands last month, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte compared Trump to a "father figure," highlighting his strong personality.

President Trump (left) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO summit on 25/6. Photo: AFP

President Trump (left) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO summit on 25/6. Photo: AFP

After receiving mixed reactions, Rutte reiterated to the media that Trump "deserves all the praise".

"I think he likes me," Trump said of Rutte.

Other leaders have capitalized on Trump's love of golf. Finnish President Alexander Stubb made an unannounced visit to Florida in March, where he and Trump visited Mar-a-Lago and played golf. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye described Trump as an "excellent" golfer during their White House meeting on 10/7.

"Golf requires focus and precision, qualities that also make a great leader," Faye said.

Trump's personal relationships with global leaders have influenced his stance on international events, most recently with Ukraine and Russia.

In February, after Trump blamed Ukraine for the conflict with Russia, Politico reported that several Trump administration officials had "learned the hard lesson that publicly criticizing the president backfires terribly".

Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, and the Ukrainian leader appeared to have learned that lesson. He stated that Kyiv was "very grateful for Washington's willingness to support" Ukraine. Trump subsequently announced the resumption of military aid to Ukraine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) hands a letter to President Trump at the White House on 7/7. Photo: AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) hands a letter to President Trump at the White House on 7/7. Photo: AFP

But building personal connections can only go so far, as Trump himself acknowledged earlier this week.

"We get a lot of nonsense from President Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump said during a cabinet meeting on 8/7. "He’s always been very nice, but it turns out that doesn't mean anything".

Vu Hoang (Adapted from Politico, AFP, Reuters)