New York– Politicians across the world reacted differently to the election victory of Donald Trump, set to become the 45th President of the United States. Some congratulated him, while others voiced shock.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump on the victory and expressed hope that the two countries will continue collaborative work on international issues.
Trump often praised Putin throughout his campaign, and his relationship with the Russian President was among the highlights of the presidential race.
Putin noted in the message that he hopes to address some “burning issues that are currently on the international agenda, and search for effective responses to the challenges of the global security,” RIA Novosti reported.
Putin also expressed confidence that “building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington, based on principles of equality, mutual respect and each other’s positions, meets the interests of the peoples of our countries and of the entire international community.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump and said India looks forward to working with him closely to take bilateral ties to “a new height”.
“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on being elected as the 45th US President,” Modi tweeted.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the friendship that Trump had “articulated towards India” during his campaign.
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee also congratulated Trump on his victory.
Japan’s Prime Minister Abe also congratulated the Republican on his victory and described the alliance between the two countries as “impregnable”.
“With all my heart I hope that Japan and the US will play a leading role in ensuring peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The Japan-US alliance is impregnable,” he stated in the message to Trump.
Abe will be sending his special adviser, Katsuyuki Kawai, to the United States shortly “to build confidence” with the new White House administration, Kyodo news agency reported.
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte offered “warm congratulations” to Trump, saying he looks forward to working with him to enhance relations, a Philippine minister was quoted by the Mirror online as saying.
Duterte, who has expressed outrage almost daily with the Obama administration and threatened repeatedly to end one of Washington’s most important Asian alliances, hailed the success of US democratic system and the American way of life, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi congratulated Trump on his victory, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
Sisi wished Trump success as the new US president, hoping to enhance Egyptian-US cooperation at all levels.
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said his nation respects the result of the presidential election in the US, although it was unexpected.
“The victory of Donald Trump is the most important event that will change many things in the world,” the minister said, stating that Italy will continue its cooperation with the US.
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the US election result was a “huge shock” in comments on German ARD TV. She urged Trump to prevent isolationism, saying, “It’s in Europe’s interest that the US remains open to the world.”
In France, Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said that the election results must not weaken relations between Europe and the US, and assured that France remains an ally of the US, and will have to see what the new President’s policies will be.
French ambassador to the US Gerard Araud caused astonishment with his tweet that the “world is collapsing before our eyes” just as Trump was set to be elected the 45th US President.
Araud, the serving ambassador, tweeted his remarks as the defeat of Democratic Hillary Clinton became evident during counting of US election votes.
The 63-year-old said: “After Brexit and this election, everything is now possible. A world is collapsing before our eyes. Dizziness,” the mirror.co.uk reported.
The diplomat later deleted the tweet, the daily reported.
Meanwhile, one of America’s top allies in the Pacific, South Korea, said that they would expect the US to go on with the policy of pressuring North Korea.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said he would have preferred to see Hillary Clinton in the White House, but declared his readiness to work with Trump as well.
“I think the election result will make many individuals, as well as the market, worried. At the same time it is a situation to which we are well prepared. I would have preferred Hillary Clinton to win for a number of reasons. However, Sweden will do everything possible to retain good relations with the United States, no matter who is the president,” he told SVT channel, noting also his concern at the “prevailing political climate of hate” in the US. (IANS)
