World leaders welcome Biden’s win as they prepare for fresh start
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.
Mr Trump has yet to concede 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 for ward to working with you to further strengthen the Japan-us alliance and ensure peace, freedom, and prosperity in the Indo-pacific region and beyond,” said Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga on Twitter.
President MoonJae- in of South Korea said he looked forward to working together “for our shared values”.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims as part of its territory, expressed hope to “further our friendship”.
Mr Biden had congratulated Ms Tsai on her re-election in January, saying Taiwan is “stronger because of your free and open society”. Washington has no formal relations with Taiwan, but Mr Trump raised the profile of informal contacts by sending Cabinet officials to the island, an act that irritated Beijing.
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 w elcomed a fresh start with Washington. Many have been dismayed at Mr Trump’s criticism of decades-old military and eco
nomic alliances.
“We want to work in our cooperation for a new transatlantic beginning, a New Deal,” said German foreign minister Heiko Maas on Twitter.
Others expressed hope Mr Biden might revive co-operation on health, climate and other issues following Mr Trump’s rejection of the proposed TransPacific Partnership trade agreement and pressure on Canada, Mexico, South Korea and oth
er partners to renegotiate trade terms.
“I look for ward 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.
Prime minister Scott Morri
son of Australia told reporters he looked forward to a “great partnership” with Washington. He cited challenges including the coronavirus and “ensuring a free and open” Indo-pacific region, a reference to China's disputes with its neighbours over control of vast tracts of ocean.
“American leadership is indispensable to meeting these challenges ,” Mr Morrison said.