DONALD TRUMP will be the 45th president of the United States of America and political figures around the world have reacted with a mixture of praise and dread.
Trump’s win has the ability to change the course of international relations. During his campaign he repeatedly criticised trade and immigration, which much of the time formed the crux of his arguments.
He has openly confessed his admiration for Russian president Vladimir Putin, implied that climate change is a scaremongering tactic and he notoriously wants to build a 1,900 mile wall on the Mexican border.
And this is how political figures from around the globe reacted:
Scotland
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon released a statement saying: “While this is not the outcome I hoped for, it is the verdict of the American people and we must respect it. I congratulate president-elect Trump on winning the election.
“We value our relationship with the United States and its people. The ties that bind Scotland and the US – of family, culture and business – are deep and longstanding and they will always endure.
“It is normal in any election for those on the losing side to be feel disappointment, but today, many in America and across the world, will also feel a real sense of anxiety. I hope the president-elect will take the opportunity to reach out to those who felt marginalised by his campaign and make clear – in deeds as well as words – that he will be a president for everyone in modern, multicultural America.
“Today must also be a moment for those who share progressive values – all of us who believe in tolerance and diversity – to speak up loudly and clearly for the values we hold dear.
“I also want to pay tribute to Hillary Clinton. While I am personally disappointed that she will not be America’s first woman president, her candidacy represented a major step forward for women in America and across the world – for that, as well as for her many years of public service, she is owed a deep debt of gratitude.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, who earlier this week campaigned for Clinton in the US, said: “Like countless people in Scotland, the UK, and across the globe I watched with great sadness as the results from the presidential election came in.
“While we must all respect the result of this democratic contest, today is a dark day for those of us who believe in compassion, tolerance and equality.
“Donald Trump was responsible for a hate-filled campaign that was dominated by lies, misogyny and racism.
“As president-elect, he now has a responsibility to America and the world to heal the deep divisions he has caused.”
She added: “Across the US, there will be women, gay people and Muslims who will now be incredibly worried about the direction of their country but there will also be countless working-class Americans who will be hurting today.
“They all need reassurances that I very much hope will be forthcoming from the Republican Party.
“I was a great admirer of Hillary Clinton and campaigned for her in America so I personally feel heartbroken by this result.
“I believe Hillary would have been a great president – the most qualified female presidential candidate ever has been defeated by the least-qualified male candidate ever.
“But the United States and Scotland share a rich history and friendship between our people. That will not be swept away by one election result.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she hoped that “President Trump turns out to be a different man to candidate Trump”, and Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie labelled Trump “a racist, sexist bully” that shouldn’t be welcomed to Scotland.
“We cannot allow such a dangerous and deluded individual to have his behaviour normalised out of diplomacy,” he said.
“He needs to get the message from Scotland loud and clear that he will not be extended any courtesies as he has shown zero respect himself.”
The UK
Prime Minister Theresa May, who was careful during the campaign not to express a preference for either candidate, shared a measured response. She congratulated the president-elect and stated the UK and US “will remain strong and close partners”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn released a statement saying: “Trump’s election is an unmistakable rejection of a political establishment and an economic system that simply isn’t working for most people. It is one that has delivered escalating inequality and stagnating or falling living standards for the majority, both in the US and Britain
“This is a rejection of a failed economic consensus and a governing elite that has been seen not to have listened. And the public anger that has propelled Donald Trump to office has been reflected in political upheavals across the world.
“But some of Trump’s answers to the big questions facing America, and the divisive rhetoric around them, are clearly wrong.
“I have no doubt, however, that the decency and common sense of the American people will prevail, and we send our solidarity to a nation of migrants, innovators and democrats.”
“After this latest global wake up call, the need for a real alternative to a failed economic and political system could not be clearer.
“That alternative must be based on working together, social justice and economic renewal, rather than sowing fear and division. And the solutions we offer have to improve the lives of everyone, not pit one group of people against another.
“Americans have made their choice. The urgent necessity is now for us all to work across continents to tackle our common global challenges: to secure peace, take action on climate change and deliver economic prosperity and justice.”
Russia
President Vladimir Putin sent Trump a telegram of congratulation on winning the presidential election. In a brief statement, the Kremlin said: “Hope to work together for removing Russian-American relations from their crisis state.”
Mexico
Bienvenidos a la pesadilla pic.twitter.com/Yk62iJAmqf
— Alejandro Hope (@ahope71) November 9, 2016
“It’s DEFCON 2,” said Mexican analyst Alejandro Hope.
“Probably something as close to a national emergency as Mexico has faced in many decades. A massive deportation campaign could really put some stress on Mexican border communities. A renegotiation of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) could seriously hobble the Mexican economy. It could create a lot of uncertainty. Financial markets could suffer.”
Germany
German chancellor Angela Merkel offered Trump “close co-operation” on the basis of shared trans-Atlantic values that she says include respect for human dignity regardless of people’s origin, gender or religion.
France
Foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault expressed concern about Trump and said: “We don’t want a world where egoism triumphs.” France’s Socialist government had openly endorsed Hillary Clinton.
However, far-right leader Marine Le Pen welcomed Trump, claiming he champions a new world.
Félicitations au nouveau président des Etats-Unis Donald Trump et au peuple américain, libre ! MLP
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) November 9, 2016
Turkey
Justice minister Bekir Bozdag said the change of presidency will not make a big difference to “deep-rooted” relations between the two countries. He told the state-run Anadolu Agency: “In essence our relations are relations between two states and we hope that under the new presidential term the Turkish-US relations will be much better.”
He also said: “I saw an intense campaign for Hillary Clinton’s victory. Artists, sportsmen, all personalities worked for Clinton’s victory. But in elections, it is important to embrace the people. No one has won elections through newspaper headlines, opinion polls or television (campaigns).”
The Netherlands
CONGRATULATIONS @realDonaldTrump !!
Your victory is historic and for all of us!#ElectionDay #MakeAmericaGreatAgain pic.twitter.com/jZRJNYtP1M
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) November 9, 2016
Populist Dutch anti-Islam legislator Geert Wilders tweeted his congratulations to Trump. Wilders, whose Freedom Party is riding high in opinion polls ahead of Dutch elections in March, called Trump’s win: “A historic victory! A revolution.”
Looking ahead to the Dutch vote, he finished his tweet: “We also will give our country back to the people of the Netherlands.”
Hungary
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban, said Trump’s victory is “great news” and shows “democracy is still alive”.
Orban, who returned to power in 2010 and last year built fences on Hungary’s southern borders to stop the flow of migrants heading towards western Europe, said in July that Trump’s immigration policies made him the best candidate for Hungary and Europe.
China
Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China, Lu Kang said, “We hope to strive together with the new U.S. administration to advance the continued healthy and stable development of Sino-American relations, to the benefit of the two countries and the world.”
The European Union
EU – #US ties are deeper than any change in politics. We'll continue to work together, rediscovering the strength of Europe
— Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) November 9, 2016
Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said transatlantic ties go beyond the election of Trump. She said in a twitter message that “EU-US ties are deeper than any change in politics. We’ll continue to work together, rediscovering the strength of Europe.”
EU Parliament president Martin Schulz said the result “must be respected” as Trump “managed to become the standard-bearer of the angst and fears of millions of Americans”.
READ MORE
Donald Trump says he’ll be a ‘president for all Americans’ after shocking election win
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