Donald Trump, meanwhile, is apparently making plans for his Vatican visit for the papal funeral. This visit will see him dance through a thick gauntlet of existing boondoggle perils. The last U.S. President will be greeted by a gauntlet of diplomatic thermonuclear war at the somber event. His most recent predecessor, Joe Biden, will be joining him as well. The prize Trump is preparing to dive into in a topsy-turvy political environment. There’s increasing speculation around potential meetings with foreign leaders, though those plans remain shrouded in mystery.
The Vatican event would be the perfect opportunity to underscore the worst of Trump’s controversial political positions. That would certainly apply to his recent statements regarding U.S. recognition of Russian control over Crimea. Indeed, with Trump recently blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for prolonging much-needed peace talks, this statement has captured extraordinary headlines. Analysts are cautioning that these kinds of statements risk increasing tensions and producing a further unraveling of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Of course, the disastrous consequences of Trump’s proclivity to engage in fistfights with foreign leaders are extensively documented. In stark contrast to his predecessors, his past appearances have been characterized by explosive tirades, especially when the Chairman perceives personal attacks or infringements upon his dignity. At past summits, President Trump has openly and often aggressively challenged European leaders. In recent days, he has exhibited some caution in biting the hands that feed him. As he prepares to attend the funeral, observers are keen to see whether he will maintain this more measured approach.
Making the situation even more interesting is Trump’s own tumultuous relationship with the Vatican. Pope Francis has been critical of Trump’s deportation policies before, referring to them as “significant crisis builders.” This accusation further complicates and heats up their relationship. Whether that’s the message Trump intended, it certainly will come through when Trump meets Zelenskyy at the funeral. That’s significant because both Trump and Senator JD Vance have rained vitriol on him in the past.
In one awkward moment at the 2017 NATO summit, Trump engaged in a bizarre handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron. This incident underscored the often tenuous state of his diplomatic forays. During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. retaliated against EU tariffs by raising tariffs on EU goods. In fact, he soon backtracked on those tariffs, leading Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to say, “It’s not going to work. This white-hot trade conflict is a reminder of the further friction that is likely to occur during the funeral.
While no high-level officials from China are expected to attend the funeral, limiting opportunities for discussions regarding U.S.-China relations, Israel will send its ambassador to the Vatican. This would be a significant departure from Pope John Paul II funeral arrangements in 2005, when Israel sent a presidential delegation.
Trump’s schedule does include a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She’s made recent visits to the White House and is seen as a key intermediary between Europe and the U.S. The absence of any explicit provision for an EU-U.S. summit with Ursula von der Leyen only deepens the sense of opportunities lost. That would preclude much-needed debate about urgent trade matters.
As the funeral draws closer, the potentially explosive diplomatic implications of Trump’s attendance looms over analysts and political observers as a whole. The event provides a unique stage for potential interactions among world leaders but carries risks of heightened tensions, particularly in light of Trump’s recent remarks and past behaviors.
“the west as we knew it no longer exists” – Ursula von der Leyen