The World’s Reaction to Trump’s Election

This year’s presidential election will probably be remembered as one of the most enthralling elections in U.S. history. With his controversial campaign Donald Trump divided America in two:
his immigration politics, his statements about religion, women and 'Making America Great Again'. But America was not the only one split by Trump’s plans and ideas. The whole world followed the race curious as to how far the billionaire celebrity could go. Now that Trump’s triumph over Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton is reality, a wide range of reactions are coming from all over the world.
But who supports Trump, and who still sees the situation as critical?

Russia: The Russian leaders were very quick in congratulating Trump for his win. Vladimir Putin revealed his admiration for Trump previously on the presidential race, so the support from Russia is not surprising. Soon after the election Putin spoke of his hopes of 'building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington.'

India: Another joyous reaction came from the Indian Prime Minister. Narendra Modi, long time Donald Trump fan, congratulated Trump on Twitter and stated: ‘We look forward to work with you closely to take India-US bilateral ties to a new height.’

In Europe the feelings about the new elected president are more varying.

Great Britain: While the current Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Trump on his victory and said that America and the UK will stay ‘close partners’, the leader of Labour seems less enthusiastic. He posted on Twitter that ‘Trump’s election is a reaction of a failed economic consensus, but his answers to the big questions facing America are wrong.’

France: Similar opposed opinions about the results can be found in France. While the far right National Front leader Marine Le Pen hails Trump’s victory (posting on Twitter ‘American people, free’), the foreign minister Jean Marc Ayrault expressed his concerns. He does not want ‘a world where egoism triumphs’.

Germany: For Germany, the unexpected result of the election was shocking. The defence minister Ursula von der Leyen descried the victory as ‘a vote against Washington and the establishment’. Although many politicians are sceptical towards the future collaboration with Trump, Angela Merkel stated that Germany will continue their relations with the USA. Nevertheless Merkel wants to remind Trump of his responsibilities and the democratic values. She urges him to ‘respect the law and the dignity of man’.

Mexico: By far the most negative reaction comes from the U.S. neighbours in Mexico. The Mexican analyst Alejandro Hope described Trump’s election as ‘probably something as close to a national emergency as Mexico has faced in many decades’.
As a part of his campaign Donald Trump announced repeatedly to build a wall at the Mexican border if he becomes President.

And America itself?
After Trump’s victory the country appears more divided than ever. Trump supporters are hoping he will ‘Make America Great Again,’ although they do not know what his decisive plans are.

And the other U.S. citizens are left waiting for what will actually change in their country – or probably Googling how to move to Canada.