World leaders respond to Trump triumph

ANKARA

Across the world Wednesday morning, many politicians and political leaders responded to the surprise presidential election victory of Donald Trump.

British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Trump in a statement, adding: “Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

French President Francois Hollande said his country will continue to work with the new American administration but with “vigilance and frankness,” saying Trump’s win “opens a period of uncertainty.”

Congratulating Trump at a news conference, Hollande called for a “united Europe” to defend the values of “freedom, dignity, social cohesion, and the fight against poverty" in the wake of Trump’s win.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Trump, and expressed her willingness to enhance relations based on liberal and democratic values.

"Germany and the U.S. are bound together by values: Democracy, freedom, respecting the rule of law and people's dignity regardless of their origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political opinion," Merkel told a news conference in Berlin, not mentioning frequent charges that Trump’s campaign had been racist, sexist, and xenophobic.

In a tweet, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy congratulated Trump and added: “We will continue to work to reinforce the relationship that unites us with the United States, an indispensable partner".

Speaking to TV4 after Trump’s victory, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said, “There have been a few political matters where we have different opinions, in which he has manifested a more introverted U.S., less trade relations… But we have always said that the U.S. is an important country for Sweden, so we’ll aim to have as good relations as possible with the U.S., no matter who’s president.”

While Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen congratulated Trump on winning an “unusually hard and confrontational” election,” on Tuesday – before the election results – Danish Finance Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen told financial daily Borsen that Trump’s trade policy would affect local firms, as the U.S. is Denmark’s third-largest export partner.

Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg congratulated Trump at a news conference Wednesday, adding, “The U.S. is our closest ally and our cooperation is based on shared values and interests. We will seek to cooperate constructively with Donald Trump and his administration once it’s in place.”

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on winning the U.S. presidency.

Aliyev said in a congratulatory address on the presidency's official website that Azerbaijan-U.S. relations have 25-year history and that he hopes the relations will continue to improve.

NATO, EU affirm partnership with US

U.S. leadership is as important as ever in a challenging new security environment, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a message on Trump’s victory.

“Our Alliance has brought together America’s closest friends in times of peace and of conflict for almost 70 years. A strong NATO is good for the United States, and good for Europe,” said Stoltenberg in a statement.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz criticized the “vitriol and polarization” that characterized the election campaign but said the result was unequivocal.

He said in a written statement: “Mr. Trump has managed to become the standard-bearer of the angst and fears of millions of Americans. Those concerns must now be addressed with credible policies and proposals.”

Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, wrote a letter to Trump congratulating him on his victory and urging him to strengthen transatlantic relations.

“Only by cooperating closely can the EU and the U.S. continue to make a difference when dealing with unprecedented challenges such as Daesh, the threats to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, climate change and migration.”

In a letter, EU President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker congratulated Trump, adding, “The strategic partnership between the European Union and the United States is rooted in our shared values of freedom, human rights, democracy and a belief in the market economy."

Africa reacts to Trump's US victory

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986 when Ronald Reagan was U.S. leader, congratulated President-elect Trump on his victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Somalia’s federal government also congratulated Trump on his victory, which saw the Republican nominee pull off a win early Wednesday morning after securing several key U.S. states.

A senior member of the Congolese opposition coalition, Silvester Kanza, said they were happy with a Trump victory.

Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza tweeted directly to Trump, writing: “Your Victory is the Victory of all Americans.”

Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta also congratulated Trump on his victory and said: “The ties that bind Kenya and the United States of America are close and strong.

Obama’s African legacy

During his rule outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama visited seven African countries including, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt and Ethiopia

Obama’s African policy was "promoting stability and democracy in Africa through collaborative diplomacy".

Zimbabweans also reacted to Trump’s election on Wednesday. Harare-based Lorraine Sibanda, president of the country’s Chamber of Informal Economy Association, was critical of the tone of the election campaign.

She told Anadolu Agency: “It’s a very sad reality that Hillary Clinton has lost as a woman, but also it sort of belies the opinion or perception that Western countries are better on women’s rights issues. Once something controversial [is said] against a woman it’s taken as the truth.

Elsewhere, South African President Jacob Zuma also congratulated Trump.

Arab states, Iran react to Trump presidential win in US

Arab states, Iran and Israel on Wednesday reacted to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s surprise electoral victory, with most sending messages of congratulations and voicing a desire to maintain good ties with Washington.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi was the first Arab leader to congratulate Trump, saying he looked forward to "improved relations between Egypt and the U.S."

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah likewise congratulated the U.S. president-elect, wishing him success while praising the "special" relationship between the two countries, according to Kuwait’s official KUNA news agency.

Qatari Emir Sheikh bin Hamad Al Thani and United Arab Emirates President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan also both congratulated Trump, voicing hope for stepped-up bilateral relations with Washington, according to both countries’ official news agencies.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, for his part, also congratulated Trump on his victory, expressing hope that the latter’s election would contribute to greater security and stability in the Middle East, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

Tunisia’s Ennahda movement, meanwhile, also congratulated Trump, noting that the president of the U.S. played "a vital role" in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

In a statement, Ennahda voiced hope that the new administration’s policies would contribute to "ensuring peace in the Arab world and supporting the Arab people’s aspirations for freedom, democracy and development".

And in a statement carried by Palestine’s official WAFA news agency, Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh declared that the Palestinian leadership would "deal with any president elected by the American people" with a view to "achieving permanent peace in the Middle East based on a two-state solution" to the Arab-Israeli dispute.

Abu Rudeineh went on to stress that Washington "must recognize that regional stability can only be achieved through a just solution to the Palestinian cause".

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, for its part, which since 2007 has governed the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, urged Trump to reevaluate Washington’s longstanding policies vis-à-vis the Palestinian national cause.

"The suffering of the Palestinian people has continued due to the pro-Israel bias of previous U.S. administrations," the group said in a statement.

Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi also congratulated Trump on his electoral win.

"We look forward to a new stage of cooperation [with the U.S.] and support for the Yemeni people," he was quoted as saying by Yemen’s official SABA news agency.

"Fresh prospects for peace have emerged in the interest of the entire world," Hadi added.

Also congratulating the U.S. president-elect, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI called for stepped-up coordination between the two countries, especially in the field of counter-terrorism and investment, Morocco’s official news agency reported.

The king also stressed his desire to see the implementation of the "strategic partnership" between Washington and Rabat.

Iran, Israel

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, for his part, described Trump’s electoral victory as a domestic U.S. affair.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Bucharest with his Romanian counterpart, Zarif urged Trump to comply with the terms of last year’s watershed nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

"Anyone can be the president of America," Zarif was quoted as saying. "The important thing is to understand correctly the reality in our region and the world and to take appropriate, realistic steps."

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as saying that Trump’s assumption of the U.S. presidency would "not affect Iran's policies".

Citing Trump's earlier criticisms of the nuclear agreement, Rouhani stressed that last year’s deal was supported by a UN Security Council resolution and could not therefore be unilaterally terminated "by the sole decision of one government".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said in a statement: "The ironclad bond between the U.S. and Israel is rooted in shared values, buttressed by shared interests and driven by a shared destiny."

"I am confident that President-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between our two countries and bring it to ever greater heights," Netanyahu added.

South Asian leaders congratulate Trump on US election

Asian leaders are clamoring to congratulate Donald Trump on his win in the United States presidential election, many of them having fallen from favor with the outgoing administration after accusing Washington of meddling in their internal affairs.

On Wednesday, the Philippines Office of Communications Secretary said in a statement that President Rodrigo Duterte wished Trump success in the next four years as Chief Executive and commander-in chief of the U.S. military.

It said that it looked forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-U.S. relations anchored on "mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law”.

Duterte has repeatedly lashed out at the U.S. over criticism of his bloody war on drugs, calling on American troops to leave the archipelago and announcing Manila’s “separation” from Washington as his administration pursues an “independent” foreign policy.

"The United States presidential elections is a testament to the enduring traditions of its democratic system and the American way of life. The two-party system gives American voters freedom of choice based on party platforms, not just on personalities," the statement added.

While paying an official visit to Malaysia, Duterte told the Filipino community, "I don’t want to fight now that Trump’s there."

He was quoted by news broadcaster ABS-CBN as saying, "May you live, Mr. Trump! We both curse at the slightest of reason. We are alike."

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen took to Facebook to not just congratulate Trump, but also underline that he had supported his candidature.

"Several individuals have come out to criticize me and referring [Sic] to you, Mr. Donald Trump, as a dictator to have endorsement coming from a leader like myself," wrote the premier, who has been in power for 31 years.

"At this moment the American voters have shown their choice to elect your excellency the same way as my support for your candidacy is not wrong either."

Thailand, whose ruling junta was roundly criticized after it seized power in a 2014 coup, praised ties and championed democracy.

“I congratulate Donald Trump. The people's voice must be accepted. It is a democratic principle,” Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha told the Bangkok Post on the result being announced.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a May 2014 statement that he was "disappointed" by the Thai army's decision to overthrow the elected government and "this act will have negative implications for the U.S.-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military."

The kingdom also figured on the U.S. list of worst human trafficking offenders -- Bangkok protesting publicly -- although its position has recently been upgraded.

Malaysia was also quick to congratulate, Prime Minister Najib Razak underlining in a statement that Trump was considered an outsider when he first announced his candidacy, but has gone on to prove doubters wrong by winning the Republican nomination and then the presidency.

"Trump's success shows that politicians should never take voters for granted," he said.

"Opinion polls, and established political figures, all underestimated the strength of his support. His appeal to Americans who have been left behind -- those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against US interests – have won Mr. Trump the White House."

Malaysia's government has come under U.S. scrutiny for alleged weak human rights protections, a poor record on combatting human trafficking, constraints on press freedom, and prosecution of opposition political leaders such as imprisoned People's Justice Party chief Anwar Ibrahim.

Countries that have enjoyed better relations also offered their congratulations.

Singapore, like Malaysia, expressed its surprise.

"Congratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump! His candidacy took many by surprise. At each stage he defied expectations, and his journey has ultimately taken him to the White House," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote on Facebook

"It has been a contentious, ugly election season, that has exposed a bitter divide in the American people. Many will celebrate this result, while others will understandably be surprised and disappointed. But like the Brexit referendum in June, Mr Trump’s victory is part of a broader pattern in developed countries -- reflecting a deep frustration with the way things are, and a strong wish to reassert a sense of identity, and somehow to change the status quo."

South Korean President Park Geun-hye called for the "early" establishment of cooperative ties with the incoming U.S. administration, pointing to the need for close bilateral cooperation in addressing North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.

Park also directed government officials to "do their utmost" to ensure that under the Trump administration, Seoul and Washington will "unwaveringly" work together to pressure the communist state into renouncing its nuclear ambitions through "strong" sanctions.

South Korea's top financial regulator said that related authorities will do their best for market stabilization with an "utmost sense of tension", as Americans caught the world off guard by choosing Trump.

"Following the U.S. presidential elections, the expansion of swings at South Korea's financial market is expected to be inevitable," Yim Jong-yong, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, said after presiding over a joint emergency meeting with the Financial Supervisory Service to review market conditions.