World leaders hail victory for Biden
WORLD leaders welcomed Joe Biden’s election as US president as a chance to enhance co-operation on climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and other issues after four years of Donald Trump’s rejection of international alliances.
Yesterday, Mr Trump hadn’t conceded defeat, but Western and Asian allies expressed hope for a fresh start following his ‘America first’ trade policies, withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and attacks on Nato and the World Health Organisation.
In Asia, a region on edge about the strategic ambitions of China’s ruling Communist Party, the elected leaders of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan invoked “shared values” with Washington and expressed hope for close relations.
“I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the JapanUS Alliance and ensure peace, freedom, and prosperity in the IndoPacific region and beyond,” said Japanese prime minister Yoshihide
Suga on Twitter. President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said he looked forward to working together “for our shared values”.
There was no immediate official reaction from Beijing, which is mired in conflicts with the Trump administration over trade, security and technology.
But Chinese social media users welcomed the change. A post on the Sina Weibo microblog service, signed Gong Teng Xin Yi, said: “Congratulating Biden, the old friend of Chinese people on winning the election.” After Mr Trump said he won “by a lot,” the Communist Party newspaper People’s Daily responded on Twitter, “Haha”.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims as part of its territory, expressed hope to “further our friendship”.
There was also no immediate reaction from Russian president Vladimir Putin, who was friendly with Mr Trump.
Other leaders who supported Mr Trump, including President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, congratulated Mr Biden, indicating they rejected Mr Trump’s claim the election wasn’t over.
Most Western allies welcomed a fresh start with Washington. Many have been dismayed at Mr Trump’s criticism of decades-old military and economic alliances.
“I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world’s greatest challenges together,” said Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who was the target of personal insults from Mr Trump.
Other leaders who sent congratulations included German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian president Abdel-fattah el-sisi.