The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States shocked the world yesterday, even though it portended a huge potential to reshape it.
Leaders offered congratulations to either Trump or to the United States, but the distinctions in their messages were momentous.
President Muhammadu Buhari and other world leaders have reacted to the surprise election of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. President.
President Buhari in a statement congratulated Trump, saying he looked forward to strengthening the already established friendly relations between both countries, including cooperation on many shared foreign policy priorities, such as the fight against terrorism, peace and security, economic growth, democracy and good governance.
In his statement, President Jacob Zuma conveyed his best wishes on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa.
Zuma also said he looked forward to working with Trump to build on the strong relations that existed between the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory telegram to Trump, minutes after the latter was declared winner yesterday.
In a telegram, Putin said the dialogue between Moscow and Washington must serve the interest of both countries.
Putin, who was later seen celebrating with a glass of champagne at a foreign ambassadors meeting in Moscow, also said: “Colleagues, three minutes ago Hillary Clinton admitted defeat in the US presidential election.”
United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said it was worth recalling and reaffirming that the unity in diversity of the United States is one of the country’s greatest strengths.
He reminded the United States of its role as a guarantor of world stability, noting that it was an essential actor across the international agenda.
President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, who had rooted for Hillary Clinton, said he hoped to work with Trump.
“One of the issues that worried us is the transition,” Macri said, adding, “We will have to adapt, and that is what we will do.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who enjoys reacta close relationship with outgoing President Barack Obama, said Canada had no closer friend, partner and ally than the United States.
“The relationship between our two countries serves as a model for the world,” Trudeau remarked.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany also congratulated Trump and offered her cooperation, but emphasized that it must rest on human rights and nondiscrimination.
Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, spoke of her country’s enduring and special relationship with the United States, expressing her desire to build on the ties.
President Francois Hollande of France noted that some of Trump’s campaign positions must be put to the test of the values and the interests that we share with the United States.
Leader of the National Front in France and a candidate for the French presidency, Ms. Le Pen, congratulated Trump on Twitter and declared the American people “free!”
Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, one of the few European leaders who spoke favorably of Trump during the campaign, wrote on Facebook: “What a great news. Democracy is still alive.”
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also said in a statement: “President-elect Trump is a true friend of the State of Israel, and I look forward to working with him to advance security, stability and peace in our region.”
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim of Turkey quickly congratulated Trump, but official reaction was scarce from Saudi Arabia.
Syrian officials also said they had little inkling what the vote would mean for the civil war in their country, although many in the opposition had expressed hope that a victory for Hillary Clinton would mean more robust support for the rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had been planning to meet Hillary Clinton in Washington in February, tried to calm his country, as the yen surged and stocks stumbled.
“Hand in hand with Trump, we will try to work together,” Abe said.
President Park Geun-hye of South Korea instructed her government to coordinate closely with Mr. Trump’s transition team to ensure that her country and the United States would maintain sanctions and pressure on North Korea to stop its nuclear weapons program.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet addressed to Trump: “We appreciate the friendship you have articulated towards India during your campaign.”
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull reassured his people that Americans understood that they had no stronger ally and no better friend than Australia.
“I have great confidence that all of our engagement will continue to be strong and intimate, filled with the trust and confidence that has characterized it for so many years,” Turnbull said.
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