Donald Trump won global acclaim on Wednesday, with leaders from around the world expressing praise for the outcome of the presidential election and well wishes for the president-elect.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she looked forward to Trump’s administration, citing key issues from his campaign as areas where they could find common ground. “Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defense … building on these ties to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.”
Canada’s liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement Wednesday morning, stating that looked “forward to working very closely” with Trump. “The relationship between our two countries serves as a model for the world. Our shared values, deep cultural ties, and strong integrated economies will continue to provide the basis for advancing our strong and prosperous partnership,” Trudeau added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sounded an optimistic note, despite Trump’s vocal support for increasing trade restrictions. “I place great importance on the China-U.S. relationship, and look forward to working with you to uphold the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation,” Xi told reporters.
French leaders provided competing reactions. President Francois Hollande stating Trump’s election “opens a period of uncertainty,” while Marine Le Pen, leader of the conservative National Front party, published a message to Twitter issuing congratulatlons “to the new president of the United and States … and to the free American people!”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was guarded, telling reporters in Berlin that the election featured “confrontations that were difficult to bear.”
“Germany and America are connected by values: democracy, freedom, respect for the law and for the dignity of human beings, independently of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views,” Merkel added. “On the basis of these values, I am offering the future president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, close cooperation.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on His Facebook page, “What a great news. Democracy is still alive.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe conveyed his “heartfelt congratulations,” telling Trump that as a “very successful businessman with extraordinary talents, not only you made a great contribution to the growth of the [American] economy, but now as a strong leader, you have demonstrated your determination to lead the United States.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani insisted that Trump’s election would not change American policies towards Iran, despite Trump’s pledge to reverse the nuclear deal struck by President Obama. “The U.S. election results will have no impact on the policies of the Islamic Republic. Because of wrong policies, the position of America in the international community and world’s public opinion has diminished and [America’s] growing rift with Europe and the world will exacerbate that position.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he anticipated working with Trump to combat the Islamic State, saying in a statement that he hoped the “world and the United States will continue to support Iraq in fighting terrorism.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Trump is “a true friend” of Israel and said he looked forward to “working with him to advance security, stability and peace in our region.”
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly rebuffed the Obama administration and sought to scale back ties with the United States, praised the outcome of the election, saying in a statement that he was “looking forward to working with the incoming administration.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message sent to Trump that he hoped for “a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington … based on principles of equality, mutual respect and a real accounting of each other’s positions, in the interests of our peoples and the world community.”
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey offered his congratulations over Twitter, saying he would seek to “strengthen the relationship that binds” the two countries and adding that American voters “have made their voices heard, demonstrating once again the vitality of U.S. democracy.”
The most notable silence early Wednesday came from Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who did not issue a statement in hours closely following the election.
