World leaders react to the electoral victory of Donald Trump

World leaders react to the electoral victory of Donald Trump

Christian Segers, Associate Editor

Although it’s obvious that not all Americans are pleased by the decisive electoral college victory of Donald Trump, it has always been customary for both domestic and foreign heads of state to congratulate the victory of incoming president-or prime minister-elects. Critics have accused Trump of alienating certain people groups and nations during his campaign; however, the president-elect has still received respect from some of the world’s most powerful individuals.

During the 2016 political campaign, Trump was called in to question by both Democrats and various media personnel for his allegedly positive or supportive comments surrounding Russian president Vladimir Putin. Although his comments were seen as unwarranted by some, others, including Putin himself, praised Trump for his willingness to bridge the divide that has formed between Russia and America. Upon the announcement that Trump had beaten Hillary Clinton and seized the presidency, Putin was quick to offer an olive branch in making peace between the two world powers.

Putin said, “We heard the campaign slogans when he was still a candidate which were aimed at restoring relations between Russia and the United States…We understand that it will not be an easy path given the current state of degradation in the relations… but Russia wants and is ready to restore full-fledged relations with the United States… This would serve the interests of both the Russian and American peoples, and would have a positive effect on the general climate of global affairs given the special responsibility of Russia and the US to sustain global security.”

While Putin largely directed his congratulatory message at the opportunity for sustained peace between the two nations, other foreign dignitaries appeared more direct in their praise for the American president-elect.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made public a video of him heralding Trump as a “true friend of Israel.” Adding, “[Trump] will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between our two countries and bring it to ever greater heights.”

Praise from the Israeli Prime Minister follows on the back of policy-laden remarks made by Trump, pledging that he will move the US embassy to Jerusalem and strengthen ties with what has been called the United States’ strongest ally.

South of the border, Mexican President Enrique Pe?a Nieto issued a statement claiming that, “Mexico and the United States are friends, partners and allies and we should keep collaborating for the competitiveness and development of North America.”

Nieto’s remarks follow the negatively viewed rhetoric of the president-elect towards illegal Mexican immigrants and tensions between people of Hispanic heritage and those of Caucasian descent within the states. However, Nieto and Trump both appeared to publicly back each other after Trump’s visit to the Mexican capitol earlier this year. Not yet confirmed is the status on Trump’s decision to “build a wall” between the two countries, or even if the plan has been scrapped post-election.

Across the northern boarder, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to members of the press regarding the Republican victory.

Trudeau said, “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate Donald J Trump on his election as the next President of the United States…Canada has no closer friend, partner and ally than the United States. We look forward to working very closely with President-elect Trump, his administration, and with the United States Congress in the years ahead, including on issues such as trade, investment, and international peace and security.”

President-elect Trump has previously been a staunch critic of NAFTA, the legislative trade agreement between the three nations occupying North America, that he has insistently claimed undermines the American working class. Due to Trump’s position that NAFTA should be abandoned, both Canada and Mexico have remained anxious that Trump might cause economic instability between their countries if he causes America to pull out of the partnership.

Speaking of trade, no country has remained at the center of election talks and debates more than China. The nation is a lender on a substantial portion of American debt and has appeared poised to grow in to a world power following “bad trade” dealings between them and the United States. Unfortunately for China, a Trump presidency means that it will more than likely lose several key trade agreements and be forced to renegotiate on a grander scale. However, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly called the president-elect and congratulated him on his presidency.

President Jinping said, “I place great importance on the China-US relationship, and look forward to working with you to uphold the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.”

The Guardian reports that, “A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said Beijing was looking forward to working with the new administration. ‘We will work with the new US president to ensure the steady and sound development of bilateral relations so as to benefit the people in both countries as well as around the world,’ Lu Kang told reporters at a regular press briefing in the Chinese capital.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe not only congratulated Trump on his win, but also was the first foreign dignitary to meet with the president-elect upon his upset win. Following the highly publicized closed-door meeting, Abe’s only response to media questioning was that the two had had a “very candid discussion,” as was reported by the New York Times.

Regardless of the public opinion of the president-elect within U.S. borders, a common theme emerges within the remarks made by foreign world leaders, who almost unanimously concur that their relationship with America is among their most prized and vital. Only time will tell if U.S. diplomacy will improve or digress as the new Trump administration takes control of the White House, but if the past week has shown anything, it is that America will continue to have allies abroad.