Can we blame any head of state in the Third World, especially in Africa and most Arab countries, for being bullied, mocked, and diplomatically isolated by US President Donald Trump during bilateral meetings? The answer is no. Trump has become specialized and deliberate in dealing harshly and rudely even with leaders of major European countries. If he treated leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO’s Secretary-General like children in a nursery during a recent meeting, is it surprising he would do the same with small, poor, and medium African countries? Trump deliberately humiliated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in February, an act described by German political expert Thomas Geiger as intentional and planned, not accidental.

Later, a mini-summit at the White House on July 9 with leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal turned into a theatrical display of humiliation and control rather than fair diplomatic dialogue. Trump barely let some presidents finish a sentence, insulted them by asking their names in a degrading way, and focused solely on obtaining rare minerals from their countries, ignoring their identities despite later pretending they represented all of Africa, which is untrue. Experts note Trump’s praise of the Liberian president’s good English was either mocking or ignorant since English has been Liberia’s official language since 1822.

Trump appeared to want to show dominance over these leaders, who in turn showed weakness and submission, turning the meeting into a “modern colonial theater.” Given these examples and Trump’s similar behavior with European leaders, it is best for any head of state to avoid contact with Trump as much as possible or prepare thoroughly to avoid falling into his trap. The only exceptions are leaders from China, Russia, Israel, and some Gulf states, meaning if you are powerful or wealthy, Trump does not set a trap for you.