After over two years with President Donald Trump to contend with, world leaders are wising up to his tendencies and taking pains to avoid confrontation like that which blew up last year’s G7 in Canada.
According to the New York Times, many leaders opted for disagreement cushioned in flattery this time, rather than direct confrontation which causes the thin-skinned President to bristle.
So far, it’s seemed to work. Trump gushed about the summit during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and his interactions with other leaders have seemed largely friendly.
“Thus far, this has been really a great G-7,” he said on Sunday. “And I want to congratulate France and your president because they have really done a great job.”
Of course, Trump tends to save his criticism for twitter when he’s safely miles away from those he’s insulting, so any absolute conclusions may have to wait for his plane ride home Monday night.
