U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric towards world leaders appears to have unexpectedly boosted their approval ratings, as citizens rally behind their governments in response to what experts describe as an “external threat” posed by Trump’s administration.
In recent months, several global leaders — including Canada’s Justin Trudeau, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron — have experienced rising popularity amid Trump’s public criticisms and controversial policies.
Trudeau’s Popularity Surges Despite Challenges
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who faced plummeting approval ratings in recent years, has seen a surprising rebound. According to an Ipsos poll conducted last month, the Liberal Party gained a slight edge over the Conservatives for the first time since 2021. Trudeau’s personal approval rating climbed from a historic low of 22% to 34%.
This increase came after Trump imposed new tariff threats on Canada and openly suggested annexing the country as the 51st U.S. state. The spike in Trudeau’s popularity mirrors the “rally around the flag” effect, where citizens show increased support for their leaders during times of external threats or national crises.
Political expert Matthew Lebo from Western University explained that Trump’s aggressive tactics are unintentionally helping foreign leaders:
“Donald Trump is making other countries rally around their leaders in opposition. He’s having the opposite effect of what he seems to want, which is to undermine people like Trudeau and Zelenskyy.”
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Zelenskyy Gains Public Trust Despite Criticism
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also experienced a positive shift in public perception following Trump’s remarks. Despite Zelenskyy’s approval rating dropping to 60% in late 2024, a recent Kyiv International Institute for Sociology poll revealed a jump to 67% in early March — coinciding with Trump’s comments labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator.”
Even with ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Trump’s criticisms inadvertently strengthened support for Zelenskyy as Ukrainians rallied behind their president.
European Leaders See Positive Trends
European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer have also seen boosts in their approval ratings.
- Macron’s popularity increased by seven points to 31%, according to a Ifop survey for Ouest-France.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saw a 10-point jump in his approval rating in an Opinium poll for The Observer.
Both leaders have strongly opposed Trump’s recent political maneuvers, earning respect for their firm stance on international relations.
Mexico’s President Hits Record Approval
Trump’s trade threats toward Mexico have also bolstered support for the country’s leader. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum achieved an all-time high approval rating of 85%, according to a recent El Financiero poll. Her rising popularity reflects growing national pride and unity in response to Trump’s aggressive policies.
U.S. Democrats Struggle Amid Global Support for Leaders
While global leaders have benefited from Trump’s political attacks, the Democratic Party in the U.S. has yet to experience a similar boost. A recent Quinnipiac poll revealed that Democratic support dropped to an all-time low of 21%, while Trump’s Republican Party surged to 40%.
Will Trump’s Tactics Backfire?
Despite his aggressive rhetoric, Trump’s influence may inadvertently strengthen incumbent leaders seeking re-election. For example, Ontario Premier Doug Ford secured a convincing victory following Trump’s political moves, gaining voter support as citizens rejected Trump’s influence.
Political strategist Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, believes Trump’s actions are shaping global politics:
“Donald Trump has become the centre of the universe, not just for Americans, but for global citizens. His effect on the world environment is going to have an impact on what people think of their own domestic political situation.”
Bricker added that Trump’s behavior may influence Canadian voters to support leaders like newly-elected Liberal leader Mark Carney, who vowed to “stand up to Trump” during his victory speech.
Carney openly criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, claiming Poilievre “worships at the altar of Donald Trump” and would “kneel before him, not stand up to him.”
While Poilievre has embraced some of Trump’s political strategies, such as advocating for cuts in public service jobs, he has distanced himself from Trump’s controversial immigration policies.
As Canada’s political landscape continues to shift, experts believe Trump’s influence will remain a defining factor in shaping voter sentiment worldwide.
नमस्ते, मेरा नाम अमित वर्मा है। मैं हिंदी में सरकारी योजनाओं और स्कीम्स से जुड़ी ताज़ा खबरें और जानकारी साझा करता हूं। राजस्थान का निवासी होने के नाते, मेरा उद्देश्य आपको सभी सरकारी योजनाओं की सटीक और सरल जानकारी प्रदान करना है।