Foreign diplomats voice alarm over Trump
WASHINGTON: Foreign diplomats are expressing alarm to US government officials about what they say are inflammatory and insulting public statements by Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, according to senior US officials.
Officials from Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia have complained in recent private conversations, mostly about the xenophobic nature of Trump’s statements.
“As the (Trump) rhetoric has continued, and in some cases amped up, so, too, have concerns by certain leaders around the world,” said an official.
The three officials who revealed the disquiet declined to disclose a full list of countries whose diplomats have complained, but two said they included at least India, South Korea, Japan and Mexico.
US officials said it was highly unusual for foreign diplomats to express concern, even privately, about candidates in the midst of a presidential campaign. US allies in particular usually don’t want to be seen as meddling in domestic politics, mindful that they will have to work with whoever wins.
Senior leaders in several countries – including Britain, Mexico, France, and Canada – have already made public comments criticising Trump’s positions.
German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel branded him a threat to peace and prosperity.
A spokesman for the Mexican government would not confirm any private complaints but noted that its top diplomat, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, said last week that Trump’s policies and comments were “ignorant and racist”, and that his plan to build a border wall to stop illegal immigration was “absurd”.
The foreign officials have been particularly disturbed by the antiimmigrant and anti- Muslim themes that the billionaire real estate mogul has pushed, according to the US officials.
European and Middle Eastern government representatives have expressed dismay to US officials about anti-Muslim declarations by Trump that they say are being used in recruiting pitches by the Islamic State and other violent jihadist groups.
On December 7, Trump’s campaign said he was “calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on”.
There are also concerns abroad that the US would become more insular under Trump, who has pledged to tear up international trade agreements and push allies to take a bigger role in tackling Middle East conflicts.
“European diplomats are constantly asking about Trump’s rise with disbelief and, now, growing panic,” said a senior Nato official.