Russians cheer, rest of world less enthused
LONDON • While Russians popped the champagne and world l eaders showered Donald Trump with a cascade of politely worded messages, the mood on the streets in many world cities was more unsettled on the day Trump became U.S. commander in chief.
In London, hundreds of people gathered outside the American embassy to chant “Dump Trump!” In Mexico City, residents took to social networks to debate not whether Trump was good or bad, but how grave the new era might be. And in Beirut, observers compared the inaugural address to those by their own region’s past and present despots.
“I listened to Trump’s inauguration speech dubbed on an Arabic channel — it could easily have been Saddam, Assad or Sissi,” tweeted Mohamad Bazzi, professor of journalism at New York University, referring to the late ruler of Iraq and the current presidents of Syria and Egypt.
In the Philippines capital of Manila, protesters burned an American flag and called on President Rodrigo Duterte to distance himself from Trump.
There was also praise. Many Russians rejoiced, as did anti- European Union populists and Israeli officials.
“It’s weird, but it’s great, and for the first time ever Russians are applauding the victory of a U. S. presidential candidate. It’s a sign of the times,” political analyst Stanislav Byshok said.
“We are ready to do our share of the work in order to i mprove the relationship,” Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Facebook.
Canada’s prime minister used the occasion to remind Trump about the two countries’ historically close ties.
“Canada and the United States have built one of the closest relationships between any two countries in the world,” Justin Trudeau’s statement reads. “This enduring partnership is essential to our shared prosperity and security.”
In the West Bank city of Nablus, hundreds of residents paraded Palestinian flags and voiced concern with Trump’s seeming shift toward Israel, including his promise to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
“Congrats to my friend President Trump. Look fwd to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel& USA stronger than ever,” tweeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.