Many world leaders express hope, relief after Biden win
Russia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico avoid offering congratulations
World leaders congratulated U. S. President- elect Joe Biden on his victory, cheering it as an opportunity to fortify global democracy and celebrating the significance of Americans having their first female vice president.
Although President Donald Trump did not concede defeat, relief was a common theme expressed in many parts of the world to the news that his reelection bid had failed.
“The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @ Kamala Harris! We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together!” said French President Emmanuel Macron on Twitter.
Other leaders who sent congratulations included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Egyptian President Abdel- Fattah el- Sissi.
The president of Ukraine, whose country was central to Trump’s impeachment and an attempt by the Trump campaign to paint Biden and his family as corrupt, offered congratulations.
Most Western allies quickly welcomed a fresh start with a new administration in Washington.
“We’re looking forward to working with the next U. S. government,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter. “We want to work in our cooperation for a new trans- Atlantic beginning, a New Deal.”
Word of the victory in Pennsylvania that pushed Barack Obama’s former vice president past the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to take over the Oval Office cascaded around the globe on social media and live news broadcasts, sparking celebrations.
The was no immediate official reaction from China, which has a series of conflicts with the Trump administration over trade, security and technology. But social media users welcomed the change. A posting on the popular Sina Weibo microblog service, signed Gong Teng Xin Yi, said, “Congratulating Biden, the old friend of Chinese people on winning the election.”
The outcome inspired disbelief in Slovenia, the homeland of first lady Melania Trump. Prime Minister Janez Jansa was the only world leader who congratulated Trump even before all the votes were counted, and showed support after Biden’s win was announced.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been known for public displays of bonhomie with Trump, shared a photo of himself with Biden and offered his congratulations “on your spectacular victory!”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, another Trump ally, hailed Biden’s win and said he looked forward to “working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.”
While outspoken disappointment was scarce, several leaders who have maintained warm relations with Trump’s administration kept silent. That included Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who struck up a cordial working relationship with Trump, also avoided congratulating Joe Biden.
“We are going to wait until all the legal issues are resolved. We do not want to be reckless,” López Obrador said in answer to a reporter’s question at a news conference. He said Trump has been “very respectful of us.”
There was also no immediate statement from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.