BY MIESHA MOSS '19
As of Nov. 8, Donald Trump is the president-elect of the United States with a projected 279 electoral college votes; following his victory, leaders from around the world immediately responded to the results. His platforms on foreign policy include support for Israel, maintenance of a relationship with Putin, a conclusion to the Iran nuclear deal and the intent for the destruction of ISIS, according to Business Insider.
Argentina
President Mauricio Macri said, “One of the issues that worried us is the transition. We will have to adapt, and that is what we will do,” according to The New York Times. This comes after Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra said, as reported by NBC News, that the Trump presidency would trigger a stall in the efforts towards increased relations between Argentina and America.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Donald Trump via Twitter on Nov. 9. Modi first tweeted, “We appreciate the friendship you have articulated toward India during your campaign,” and continued with a second tweet, “We look forward to working with you closely to take India-U. S. bilateral ties to a new height.” On Oct. 16, Trump attended an Indian-American charity event, where he praised Modi. At the same event, he said of India, “I am a big fan of Hindu, and I am a big fan of India.”
Russia
President Vladimir Putin congratulated president-elect Donald Trump via telegram, according to Fox News. The Kremlin said, “Putin expressed hope for joint work to restore Russian-American relations from their state of crisis, and also to address pressing international issues and search for effective responses to challenges concerning global security,” as reported by Reuters.
South Sudan
South Sudan’s Minister of Information Michael Makuei celebrated Trump’s election. According to CBS, Makuei said, “I really doubt President Obama had any clear policy to South Sudan other than to destroy it. So we will definitely expect better relations with Trump and the U.S.A. after the election.” The United Nations Security Council is in the midst of a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan due to the civil war. As reported by The New York Times, the government has refused to cooperate with the efforts.
Japan
In a letter published on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the cabinet’s website, Abe congratulated president-elect Trump. He said the “stability of the Asia-Pacific region, which is a driving force of the global economy, brings peace and prosperity to the United States. Japan and the United States are unwavering allies tied firmly with the bond of universal values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and the rule of law.”
Germany
Chancellor Angela Merkel offered her congratulations to president-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday. According to the Washington Post, Merkel said in her note, “Germany and America are bound by common values — democracy, freedom, as well as respect for the rule of law and the dignity of each and every person, regardless of their origin, skin color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or political views. It is based on these values that I wish to offer close cooperation, both with me personally and between our countries’ governments.”
France
On Nov. 9, President François Hollande offered his congratulations to Donald Trump, yet said, “Certain positions taken by Donald Trump during the American campaign must be confronted with the values and interests we share with the United States,” according to The Guardian. Hollande was vocal with his endorsement of Hillary Clinton throughout the election.
Colombia
“We have been, and are honored to be, strategic partners of the United States in Latin America. And we hope to continue being the strategic partners of the United States in Latin America,” said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, according to the Miami Herald. Colombia, which is attempting to pacify with guerillas, is depending on the Obama administration’s promise of $450 million to use towards peace efforts, as reported by The New York Times.
Canada
As reported by Fox News, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “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.”
On Nov. 8, the Canadian immigration department website of Canada crashed amid American conversation about leaving the U.S. post election. According to CBC News, the United States and Canada trade over $450 billion each year.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said, “we will keep good relations, especially in trade and investment as we know the U.S. is one of Indonesia’s major investors. I think there will be no change,” according to CBS News. Indonesia has the highest Muslim population of any nation.
Iraq
On Nov. 8, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated Donald Trump on his election via Twitter. Abadi tweeted, “Look forward to continued U. S. support for Iraq in the war against terror.”