The prizes and perils from sucking up (or standing up) to Trump

Stand up or suck up? There are two choices world leaders face in dealing with Donald Trump, and last week provided supporters of both theses with the perfect argument for why they are right.

- Steve Bloomfield

In Brussels, a triumphant Mark Rutte returned to Nato headquarters having secured the US president's backing for a much-needed weapons deal for Ukraine. The sycophantic text message, the toe-curling reference to Daddy, the Trump-centred Nato summit it was all worth it.

Almost 6,000 miles southwest, in Brasilia, Lula da Silva's stock is also riding high thanks to Trump. His political rival, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is currently facing trial for allegedly plotting a coup to remain in power after his election defeat in 2022. Trump, a longtime supporter of the far-right Bolsonaro, deployed his weapon of choice - the threat of economy-ruining tariffs unless the charges were dropped. By refusing to kowtow, Lula has seen his support surge.

For those like me, who would far rather see more standing up than sucking up, it's easy to get swept away by Lula's response. Stick by your principles, boost your popularity - what's not to like?