Worldwide leaders have responded with a combination of wariness, anger and enthusiasm to Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president, with Panama pushing again on his pledge to retake the Panama Canal and Mexico vowing to defend its individuals forward of a crackdown on migrants.
After Trump declared that the Panama Canal was a “foolish gift” to Panama that “should never have been made” throughout his inauguration speech, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino mentioned the waterway “is and will continue to be Panamanian”.
“There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration,” he mentioned in a assertion on X, in obvious reference to Trump’s accusation that Panama had ceded its operation to China.
“The canal was not a concession from anyone,” he continued. “It was the result of generational struggles.”
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum urged Mexican immigrants within the US to stay calm, reiterating that the 2 international locations had relationship whereas additionally urging “dialogue” and respect”.
“To our countrymen and women, I say that, first, you are not alone; and, second, that we must also remain calm and see how the process develops,” the leftwing chief mentioned.
The remarks got here after Trump introduced on Monday that he would declare a nationwide emergency on the US-Mexico border and start the method of deporting “millions and millions of criminal aliens.”
“On behalf of the government of Mexico, I congratulate Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States of America. As neighbors and business partners, dialogue, respect and cooperation will always be the symbol of our relationship,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.
In different messages posted to the platform she famous the significance of Mexican immigrants to the US economic system, including: “We will always defend them.”
Cuban President Miquel Diaz-Canel voiced outrage after Trump put his nation again on the US state sponsors of terrorism record, simply days after outgoing president Joe Biden had eliminated it, calling the transfer “an act of arrogance and disregard for the truth.”
Different leaders, together with these of Ukraine and Israel, whose international locations are embroiled in expensive conflicts and extremely depending on US help, praised Trump’s private qualities in addition to emphasising the advantages of working collectively to realize peace.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, mentioned Trump was a “man of strength” and “always decisive”. “The peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority,” he wrote on X.
In Israel, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for his contribution in the direction of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal and added that “working together again we will raise the US-Israel alliance to even greater heights.”
In Canada, which Trump has threatened to hit with 25% tariffs on all items sparking fears of a dangerous commerce battle, prime minister Justin Trudeau congratulated the brand new US chief and reminded him that “Canada and the US have the world’s most successful economic partnership.
“We have the chance to work together again – to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations,” he continued.
European international locations with extra ideological ties to the brand new US administration have been enthusiastic.
“Now it’s our turn to shine! It’s our turn to occupy Brussels!” Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán mentioned in a put up on X after congratulating Trump. In an earlier speech Orbán mentioned the US now had a “patriotic, peace-loving, migration-rejecting, family-oriented president” and introduced the “second phase” of the Brussels “offensive”.
The long-serving Hungarian chief, who has turned the nation into what he calls an “illiberal democracy” has lengthy been at loggerheads with the EU over his reforms and insurance policies, which critics say have undermined judicial independence and electoral integrity amongst different issues.
In Russia, Vladimir Putin – whom Trump has known as a “genius” and with whom he had what some known as a “bromance” throughout his first time period – congratulated Trump and mentioned he was open to dialogue with the brand new US administration on the Ukraine battle. “I want to emphasise that its goal should not be a brief truce … but a lasting peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people,” he mentioned.
In India, prime minister Narendra Modi, who has additionally loved a heat relationship with Trump, additionally congratulated his “dear friend” and mentioned: “I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world.”
Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated Trump in a put up on X and famous individually the US chief’s desire for private relationships and disdain for worldwide organisations.
Ishiba mentioned “Trump prioritises bilateral negotiations over multilateral frameworks, so we will focus on how to leverage the national interests of both countries to contribute to world peace and the global economy.”
In some European international locations, the place Trump’s shut ally and backer Elon Musk has brought on anger and consternation by insulting elected leaders and calling for his or her substitute, leaders have been at pains to stress historic friendships and alliances.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz, whom Musk has known as a “fool”, posted a cheery message on X, congratulating Trump and reminding him that the US “is our closest ally the aim of our policy is always a good transatlantic relationship”, and including that the EU had 27 members and was a “strong union”.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer, whom Musk has accused of being “complicit in the rape of Britain”, wrote that the 2 international locations had an “enduring partnership” that had lasted centuries, persevering with: “With President Trump’s longstanding affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue.”
EU president Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the bloc appeared “forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges.” The EU chief had a heat relationship with outgoing president Joe Biden however will in all probability be at odds with Trump over points together with Ukraine and the economic system; he spent his first time period antagonising the bloc with tariffs and by praising Russian President Vladimir Putin amongst different issues.
Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato, whose members Trump has repeatedly attacked for not paying sufficient in the direction of their very own defence, promised: “With President Trump back in office we will turbo-charge defence spending & production.”
He pointedly added that “Together we can achieve peace through strength – through @Nato.”
