Rasputin_Vol
"Slava Ukraina"
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Trump’s tough words for Merkel and May raise questions about his relationships with female leaders - The Washington Post
The barrages aimed at British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel prompted diplomats on both sides of the Atlantic to ask why a president who prizes his âgreat chemistryâ with world leaders seems to go out of his way to damage two powerful female allies.
But other analysts noted that the two female leaders had been less willing than others, such as French President Emmanuel Macron or Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to cater to his ego. âI think it is much more about their approach to him,â said Danielle Pletka, the vice president for foreign policy at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. âBoth of them have been confrontational toward him, and thatâs not a good way to manage Donald Trump in my opinion.â
Then there was a third explanation touted by several European diplomats over the past week: their gender. Trump has been particularly quick to praise self-styled strongmen, from North Korea leader Kim Jong Un to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to Russian President Vladi*mir Putin, who he is slated to meet Monday in Helsinki.
âEveryone noted that Trump has been particularly harsh to the two female world leaders,â said one European official.
Added a second European official: âHe has been more and more anti-E.U. He doesnât care about allies. But he particularly has a problem with Merkel and May â who are women.â
The officials, like other former and current European and U.S. officials interviewed for this report, spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe candidly the presidentâs interactions with Merkel and May.