March 2018. The White House. A Social Democratic Prime Minister, in the form of Stefan Löfven, meets the then-American President Donald Trump. The contrast between them could hardly be greater.
Personally, it was a correct, polite meeting, says Stefan Löfven.
"Unpredictable"
"Unpredictable" is another word that comes to him when he is to describe Trump. He also had a few long phone calls with the President in connection with the American rapper Asap Rocky being arrested in Sweden, suspected of assault. Then Trump brought out his more aggressive negotiating side, as the businessman rather than politician he is often described as.
He would then negotiate with me about how Asap Rocky would be released from custody.
Showed anger
That was met with a no from the Swedish Prime Minister:
I had to explain to him that in Sweden, we have legislation and a judicial system that does not make it possible. Then he naturally expressed disappointment and anger over it. That I could not deliver what he thought I should deliver.
Many say that it is more rhetoric than what he actually does?
I think it's bad enough. It reflects an attitude that is dangerous in my opinion. You build on hostility, discord, division.
From rhetoric to delivery
And compared to the last time Trump took office as President, 2017, a first year marked by chaos and disorder, it can be different now, believes Stefan Löfven.
Now they have prepared it in a completely different way. I think it will go more from rhetoric to delivery than last time.
I think it's creepy what's happening now, he continues.
Do you have any concrete advice for the current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) if he gets the opportunity to meet Trump?
One should know that it's short, concise messages that apply. There are no long explanations. What needs to be said needs to be said in at most two sentences.
