World powers hopeful for reset with US under Biden
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Leaders from around the world congratulated newly sworn-in US President Joe Biden and vice President Kamala Harris, expressing cautious optimism over future relations after four years of tumult under donald Trump.
Biden’s first call to a foreign leader will be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today.
Trudeau, who butted heads with Trump over trade, said that “Canada and the United States enjoy one of the most unique relationships in the world.”
He said he looked forward to working with the new administration to promote climate action, clean economic growth, inclusion and diversity.
Russia, meanwhile, urged the new administration to take a “more constructive” approach in talks over the extension of the New START treaty, Washington’s last arms reduction pact with Moscow.
The Russian foreign ministry accused the administration of Trump of “deliberately and intentionally” dismantling international arms control agreements.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who appeared to have a chummy relationship with Trump, congratulated Biden “on being sworn in as President of the United States” and Harris “on her historic inauguration” on Twitter.
Mexico hailed Biden’s order to halt construction of Trump’s wall along the US-Mexican border, as well as his other immigration-linked reforms.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called Wednesday “the start of a new chapter,” while German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the swearing-in ceremony as “a true celebration of American democracy.”
The 70-year-old NATO military alliance was shaken by Trump’s frequent criticism, who often cast it as a drain on US resources.
China was hoping for “a collaboration beneficial to both sides,” a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said, adding China would maintain its own interests and would not be defamed by the US.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was blunt in telling Scotland’s Parliament Trump wouldn’t be missed.
“i’m sure many of us across the chamber and across Scotland will be very happy to say cheerio to donald Trump today,” she said.
In Brussels, top EU officials welcomed a new era of cooperation with Washington after four years of often being treated like a hostile ally.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted that “this is a great day for democracy, reaching far beyond the American borders.”
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, one of the world’s youngest elected leaders, gave special mention to Harris, saying “my warmest congratulations! i look forward [to] working with you and the new administration.”
She named the climate, equality and human rights as areas of focus.