WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has congratulated Turkey’s president for sweeping up more power. He has hailed Egypt’s strongman leader as a “fantastic guy.” When China’s president has visited, Trump made no public mention of Beijing’s dismal human rights record.
Since taking office, Trump has displayed a willingness to embrace autocrats as potential partners, even if it means ignoring their heavy-handed tactics at home.
Trump is not first U.S. president willing to look the other way in dealings with governments that flout democratic values. For decades, Republican and Democratic administrations have cooperated closely with Saudi Arabia and China. President Barack Obama opened new diplomatic channels with Iran and Cuba, despite concerns about their repressive rulers.
But rarely are U.S. presidents as warm and unabashed about their relationships.