Foreign Leaders who Caught the Attention of Trump and Harris This Week
At this year’s U.N. General Assembly, America’s election serves as the unpredictable factor that influences numerous conversations.
TroibNews 
As the competitive race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris unfolds during the United Nations General Assembly's annual high-level meeting this week, various foreign diplomats and global leaders are seizing the moment for personal interactions. Both candidates are also eager to showcase their international credentials amid a year filled with global tensions.
The former president is leveraging his relationships with foreign leaders to remind voters of his international experience—a point of pride for Trump, who often highlights his connections with contentious figures worldwide. This aspect was prominent in his recent debate against Harris.
“What Trump is trying to do is to project strength and a mastery of foreign policy. And I think he just personally likes meeting with foreign leaders—the pageantry of meeting with foreign delegations. … It makes him look presidential,” stated Ryan Williams, a GOP strategist and former aide to Mitt Romney. “And for foreign leaders who already know him, it allows them to hedge their bets.”
In contrast, the vice president remains an enigmatic figure, leading foreign officials to seek further insight into Harris's potential policies if elected. Many observers were impressed with her performance against Trump during the debate on September 10, noting her ability to handle challenging personalities.
"She is promising," commented an African diplomat, who requested anonymity to discuss a matter typically avoided by foreign officials. "Yet we don't know anything about her African policy, what her African agenda is."
Here’s a look at the world leaders engaging with Harris and Trump this week.
**Volodymyr Zelenskyy**: The Ukrainian president is expected to meet with Harris and President Joe Biden after addressing the U.N. this week; however, it seems unlikely he will connect with Trump. The former president mentioned to reporters last week that he would "probably" meet Zelenskyy during his New York visit, but a Trump campaign official later confirmed no meeting is on the calendar. During a rally on Monday, Trump dismissed Zelenskyy as wanting “so badly” for Harris to win, labeling him “the greatest salesman in history” who “every time he comes into the country, he walks away with $60 billion.”
**Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani**: Trump recently welcomed Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, as he announced on Truth Social. Qatar has played a pivotal role in facilitating cease-fire and hostage-release discussions between Israel and Hamas. “The Amir has proven to be a great and powerful leader of his country, advancing on all levels at record speed,” Trump wrote. “He is someone also who strongly wants peace in the Middle East, and all over the world. We had a great relationship during my years in the White House, and it will be even stronger this time around!”
**Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan**: Biden and Harris had separate meetings with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, coinciding with escalating tensions in the Middle East. The discussions included the ongoing conflict in Gaza and initiatives to ease the situation in Sudan.
**Andrzej Duda**: Trump was scheduled to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Pennsylvania on Sunday; however, the joint appearance was canceled. Trump was set to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a Polish American Catholic site. The reason for the cancellation remains unclear. This visit was in response to Harris's remarks during the debate, expressing concern for the “800,000 Polish Americans right here in Pennsylvania”—pointing to threats against Poland and Europe in light of Trump's reluctance to affirm his support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. The emphasis on the Polish American vote is crucial this election cycle as it pertains to pivotal battleground states, with around 8 million Americans of Polish descent, as per the Census Bureau, residing primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
**Narendra Modi**: Trump had pledged during a town hall last week to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, but Modi returned to India on Monday without the meeting taking place. Modi, who attended the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, and addressed the “Summit of the Future” at the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, was sworn in for a third consecutive term as India’s prime minister in June. Known for his polarizing promotion of Hindu nationalism, Modi has rallied his supporters to target the country's minorities, particularly Muslims.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
The former president is leveraging his relationships with foreign leaders to remind voters of his international experience—a point of pride for Trump, who often highlights his connections with contentious figures worldwide. This aspect was prominent in his recent debate against Harris.
“What Trump is trying to do is to project strength and a mastery of foreign policy. And I think he just personally likes meeting with foreign leaders—the pageantry of meeting with foreign delegations. … It makes him look presidential,” stated Ryan Williams, a GOP strategist and former aide to Mitt Romney. “And for foreign leaders who already know him, it allows them to hedge their bets.”
In contrast, the vice president remains an enigmatic figure, leading foreign officials to seek further insight into Harris's potential policies if elected. Many observers were impressed with her performance against Trump during the debate on September 10, noting her ability to handle challenging personalities.
"She is promising," commented an African diplomat, who requested anonymity to discuss a matter typically avoided by foreign officials. "Yet we don't know anything about her African policy, what her African agenda is."
Here’s a look at the world leaders engaging with Harris and Trump this week.
**Volodymyr Zelenskyy**: The Ukrainian president is expected to meet with Harris and President Joe Biden after addressing the U.N. this week; however, it seems unlikely he will connect with Trump. The former president mentioned to reporters last week that he would "probably" meet Zelenskyy during his New York visit, but a Trump campaign official later confirmed no meeting is on the calendar. During a rally on Monday, Trump dismissed Zelenskyy as wanting “so badly” for Harris to win, labeling him “the greatest salesman in history” who “every time he comes into the country, he walks away with $60 billion.”
**Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani**: Trump recently welcomed Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, as he announced on Truth Social. Qatar has played a pivotal role in facilitating cease-fire and hostage-release discussions between Israel and Hamas. “The Amir has proven to be a great and powerful leader of his country, advancing on all levels at record speed,” Trump wrote. “He is someone also who strongly wants peace in the Middle East, and all over the world. We had a great relationship during my years in the White House, and it will be even stronger this time around!”
**Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan**: Biden and Harris had separate meetings with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, coinciding with escalating tensions in the Middle East. The discussions included the ongoing conflict in Gaza and initiatives to ease the situation in Sudan.
**Andrzej Duda**: Trump was scheduled to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Pennsylvania on Sunday; however, the joint appearance was canceled. Trump was set to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, a Polish American Catholic site. The reason for the cancellation remains unclear. This visit was in response to Harris's remarks during the debate, expressing concern for the “800,000 Polish Americans right here in Pennsylvania”—pointing to threats against Poland and Europe in light of Trump's reluctance to affirm his support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. The emphasis on the Polish American vote is crucial this election cycle as it pertains to pivotal battleground states, with around 8 million Americans of Polish descent, as per the Census Bureau, residing primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
**Narendra Modi**: Trump had pledged during a town hall last week to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, but Modi returned to India on Monday without the meeting taking place. Modi, who attended the Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, and addressed the “Summit of the Future” at the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, was sworn in for a third consecutive term as India’s prime minister in June. Known for his polarizing promotion of Hindu nationalism, Modi has rallied his supporters to target the country's minorities, particularly Muslims.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
