U.S. President Donald Trump has named Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping as the world leaders he most admires.
Speaking on “The Axios Show” following his return from the G7 summit in France, Trump described Xi as “all business” and referred to Modi as “a very tough cookie.” He declined to identify any leaders he considers weak but reflected on global power dynamics and the influence of major world figures.
Trump also spoke about the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the G7, noting that the forum had once included Russia as the G8 before Moscow’s expulsion following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
During the interview, Trump highlighted his reception at the G7 summit, including a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles. He described the gathering as evidence of a successful summit and claimed world leaders acknowledged his influence on the global stage.
The interview coincided with publicity surrounding the upcoming book Regime Change, which examines Trump’s views on presidential power. According to excerpts cited by the authors, Trump compared his influence to that of several historical leaders and argued that modern technology and America’s global reach have expanded the power available to a U.S. president.
Trump also discussed his role in Middle East diplomacy, asserting that Israel respects his leadership and crediting his administration’s approach to recent developments involving Iran. He described the outcome of negotiations with Tehran as a significant victory, while maintaining that continued pressure would be necessary to ensure long-term compliance.
The remarks come as Trump continues to position himself at the centre of major international developments following a high-profile G7 summit marked by discussions on Iran, Ukraine, global trade and security.
