Trump, English had chemistry - insiders

Prime Minister Bill English appears to have achieved something that has so far eluded many other world leaders by getting on the right side of Donald Trump.

A report on US politics website Politico about Trump’s ‘‘faux pas diplomacy’’ cites English as one of the few world leaders whose introductory conversation with Trump did not go off the rails.

English and Trump spoke at the weekend and English has described it as a warm and thoughtful conversation in which he and Trump canvassed topics including the Super Bowl, Kiwi golfer Bob Charles – and New Zealand’s disagreement with Trump’s Muslim ban.

That account is backed by Washington insiders who were briefed on the call, according to Politico.

The insiders say it’s all about personal chemistry with Trump.

‘‘For example, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English began his Sunday evening call with Trump by thanking the president for taking the time to talk during the Super Bowl and chatting about New Zealand golfer Bob Charles, said someone briefed on the call,’’ Politico reported.

The conversation remained friendly even after English raised New Zealand’s opposition to Trump’s Muslim ban, the site noted.

‘‘The person said that set the tone for an amicable conversation, even though English went on to express disagreement with Trump’s executive order restricting travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries.’’

English got off lucky – Trump cut short his phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after berating him over an asylum seekers deal, reportedly ranted at French President Francois Hollande, and warned Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto that he might send troops to Mexico to clear out the ‘‘bad hombres down there’’.

English described the call as ‘‘a polite and civil conversation’’.

‘‘It was our first conversation, I hope there’s more. It’s important that we have a good relationship with the US, but also [that] we understand any shifts in direction by their leadership, and a direct conversation probably works as well as, if not better than, relying on the media reports.’’ - Fairfax NZ