Key Takeaways

• Global flattery strategy: Leaders feed Trump’s desire to be seen as a “historic figure” to advance their interests .

• Myanmar’s exploitation: Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing spun a Trump tariff letter as U.S. recognition, praising his “patriot spirit” .

• Nobel Prize bids: Israel and Pakistan nominated Trump for the 2026 Peace Prize to secure influence .

• “Daddy” diplomacy: NATO’s Rutte used the term to applaud Trump’s “strong leadership,” calling it “speaking Trump” .

• Cost of allegiance: The Philippines gained U.S. military aid but lost strategic autonomy in its China policy .

“Daddy Diplomacy”: How Flattery Wins Trump’s Ear in Global Politics

The Flattery Playbook: Ego as a Foreign Policy Tool

World leaders aren’t just being nice. They’re playing a calculated game. See, Trump’s always wanted to be seen as a historic peacemaker—like he said in his inaugural address, his "proudest legacy" would be as a "peacemaker and unifier" . So foreign officials use that. They feed that desire. Netanyahu hands him a Nobel nomination letter at a White House dinner, calling his leadership "bold" and "innovative." Pakistan does the same thing. African leaders declare he "deserves" the prize . It’s not random. Jon Alterman from CSIS puts it bluntly: foreign leaders who fought Trump "didn’t come out happy." So now it’s a contest—who can flatter him the most effectively?

Even small things matter. Senegal’s president called Trump a "tremendous" golfer. Said golf needs "concentration and precision," just like leadership . Finland’s president flew to Florida unannounced just to play golf with him at Mar-a-Lago . NATO’s Rutte took it further—calling him "daddy" during a summit. When people got shocked, Rutte doubled down. Told the New York Times Trump "deserves all the praise" .

Why this works:

• Trump openly resents missing the Nobel (he thinks Obama got it unfairly) .

• Personal praise (golf, "daddy," deals) makes him feel respected .

• Confrontation backfires, as Ukraine learned earlier this year .

Myanmar’s Coup Leader: How a Tariff Letter Became a Propaganda Win

For most leaders, a Trump tariff letter spells trouble. But for Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing? It was like gold. See, since the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s been isolated. No formal U.S. contact. Sanctions over genocide and war crimes . So when Trump sent a letter threatening 40% tariffs—naming Min Aung Hlaing directly—the general pounced. He called it an "encouraging invitation" from the U.S. economy and spun it as recognition of his regime .

Global New Light of Myanmar, the junta’s paper, published his response in full. He thanked Trump for "regulating broadcasting agencies"—a nod to U.S. funding cuts for Voice of America and Radio Free Asia. These outlets reported independently on his atrocities . Worse, he echoed Trump’s 2020 election fraud lies, claiming Myanmar’s 2020 vote (which Aung San Suu Kyi won in a landslide) was also "rigged" .

Experts were stunned. Richard Horsey (International Crisis Group) said it was the first public U.S. acknowledgment of the junta. "A gift to the regime," he called it. Now Min Aung Hlaing wants sanctions lifted and lower tariffs (10-20%), offering tax breaks on U.S. goods in return .

Myanmar’s Diplomatic Exploitation: A Breakdown

NATO’s “Daddy” Gambit: When Flattery Secures Billions

Then there’s Mark Rutte. The NATO chief knew Trump felt the alliance was a "rip-off." So he didn’t argue. He flattered—aggressively. At the Hague summit, he joked about Trump being "daddy" to feuding Mideast nations. Said Trump used "strong language" (like "f*") to stop fights . But it wasn’t just jokes. Rutte sent private texts calling Trump’s Iran strike "decisive" and "extraordinary." Trump posted them on Truth Social .

Why? NATO needed Trump to back their new defense pledge: 5% of GDP on military spending by 2035. Rutte linked it directly to Trump, saying he "deserves all the praise" for the deal . And it worked. Trump called it a "big win," suddenly backing NATO . EU diplomat Kaja Kallas admitted the quiet part out loud: "Mark Rutte is speaking Trump. He is speaking the language that President Trump understands" .

This is high-stakes diplomacy. Rutte’s not being weak, he’s being strategic. Trade some pride for security. Trump feels respected, NATO gets his support. But it’s risky. If leaders normalize this, foreign policy becomes about managing one man’s ego, not shared goals .

The Philippines: Bearhugs and Strategic Surrender

Not all flattery’s equal though. In Asia, the Philippines gets special treatment. While Japan and South Korea got cold-shouldered over defense spending, Manila’s embraced. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called their alliance "iron-clad," sent missiles, even approved F-16 jets . Why? ‘Cause they’re all-in against China. No hedging.

But there’s a catch, see. Trump’s team demands total alignment. As Pentagon strategist Elbridge Colby put it: Manila must ditch "strategic hedging" for "full-fledged alignment" on China . And they did:

• Expanded a naval base near Taiwan

• Hosted US missile systems (Typhon)

• Welcomed joint drills in the Bashi Channel

The payoff’s real. The US overlooks Manila’s low defense spending (just 1% of GDP). Even boosted military aid . But expert Richeydarian warns the "bearhug" costs them autonomy. They’re now tied to US strategy, like it or not. Can’t pivot if regional winds shift .

Why Autocrats Love the New Diplomatic Code

Look, flattery’s not new in diplomacy. But under Trump, it’s become central. For isolated regimes like Myanmar’s junta, it’s a lifeline. A U.S. tariff letter—normally bad news—becomes proof they’re recognized. Min Aung Hlaing isn’t just thanking Trump; he’s telling his people: See? America deals with us .

Autocrats also copy Trump’s tactics. Min Aung Hlaing borrowed his "election fraud" playbook post-coup . Belarus’ opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya knows this. She told Politico: If Trump stops Belarus being "handed to Russia," it’ll be his "foreign policy success" . She’s framing the ask around his legacy, not her people’s needs.

The danger? It rewards bad actors. Myanmar’s junta kills protesters. Rutinyik’s using Trump’s letter to push for sanctions relief—money that funds more violence . When flattery works, human rights take a back seat.

The Limits of Praise: When Daddy Sees Through the BS

But hey, Trump’s not always fooled. He told his Cabinet: "We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us from [Putin]... He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless" . Flattery opens doors, but results still matter. Netanyahu’s Nobel bid might get him White House access, but if Israel doesn’t back US priorities? The love fades.

Ukraine learned this fast. Early in Trump’s second term, he blamed them for the war. Advisors warned Zelenskyy: Criticize Trump publicly, and it’ll backfire . So Zelenskyy shifted. In a recent call, he was "grateful for the readiness to assist" . No demands. Just thanks.

Still, there’s a ceiling. Trump wants wins. If flattery doesn’t lead to deals (like NATO’s 5% pledge), the charm wears off. Rutte knew that. His "daddy" schtick worked ‘cause he delivered policy wins too .

Long-Term Costs: What Happens When Diplomacy Becomes Performance?

This ain’t sustainable. Sure, leaders get short-term wins. Rutte got NATO funded. Min Aung Hlaing got recognition. But over time? It erodes trust.

Three big risks:

1. Policy whiplash: Each leader must re-flatter Trump to keep favors. The Philippines’ gains could vanish if they annoy him .

2. Empowering pariahs: Engaging Myanmar’s junta for "deals" whitewashes their atrocities .

3. Moral compromise: Praising Trump’s "peacemaking" ignores his admin’s harsh policies (like cutting VOA/RFA funds) .

Plus, it’s exhausting. Diplomats used to rely on shared goals. Now they study Trump’s ego. As one French official boasted: "We have no issues with him. We have an excellent relationship with Trump!" . Translation: We’ve mastered the art of feeding his self-image.

Conclusion: The Fawning Game Has No Winners

In the end, "daddy diplomacy" is transactional. Leaders trade dignity for influence. Myanmar’s junta exploits it for survival. NATO’s Rutte uses it for collective security. The Philippines? For military muscle against China .

But democracies lose when policy relies on one man’s vanity. It sidelines human rights. It rewards liars like Min Aung Hlaing. And it makes global stability fragile—dependent on keeping a single leader happy.

As Trump himself might say: Sad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do leaders call Trump “daddy” or praise his golf game?
It’s strategy. NATO’s Rutte said “daddy” to reference Trump’s role in stopping conflicts. Others (like Senegal’s leader) use golf praise to bond personally. The goal? Win favor for policy goals .

Did Myanmar’s junta really benefit from Trump’s letter?
Yes. Isolated since their 2021 coup, they spun the tariff letter as U.S. recognition. Min Aung Hlaing used it to request sanctions relief and lower tariffs .

Has flattery ever backfired with Trump?
Sometimes. He called Putin’s constant niceness “bullshit.” But open criticism backfires worse—like when Ukraine was blamed for the war early in his term .

Does this approach work long-term?
Unlikely. It requires constant re-flattery. The Philippines gained military aid but lost flexibility in its China policy. Myanmar’s gains could reverse if Trump ignores them later .

Who uses flattery most effectively?
NATO’s Rutte. He combined personal praise (texts calling Iran strikes “extraordinary”) with policy wins (the 5% defense pledge). Trump now supports NATO .