I read a good breakdown about this earlier in the week, basically saying that Trump thinks all he needs is to be buddy-buddy with dictators and he can use that to control them. He also honestly believe he IS buddies with these people and that they will do anything he asks, ignoring the fact that the rest of the world sees him as a joke that makes America weak. So while Trump continues to believe he is popular everywhere, the reality is that dictators want him as President because he is easily manipulated.