Donald Trump as President of US: How the world reacted

The world has to do business with Donald Trump – hate him or love him.

Washington: The world has reacted with caution and disbelief to the stunning victory of Donald Trump in US Presidential elections.  

Donald J Trump is going to be the next President of the world's lone superpower and the world has to do business with him – hate him or love him.

Wait and watch in China

China, often criticised for taking away American jobs, reacted cautiously to the election of Donald Trump as President, saying it will work with the new US government to ensure steady development of bilateral ties to benefit people of both countries.

"We are also watching and following the election and we will work with new US government to ensure steady and sound development of bilateral relations and benefit people of the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.

China keenly watched the run up to the election between Trump and Hillary Clinton as both promised to pursue strong policies against Beijing.

Chinese official commentaries reflecting public opinion favoured Trump as Clinton was widely regarded as someone who pursued a tough line against China with 'Asia Pivot' strategy under which 60 percent of American military assets would be deployed in the region to contain China.
Equally, there are apprehensions about Trump who branded China as a currency manipulator and promised tough measures against cheap Chinese imports into the US.
Trump had earlier claimed that Americans are living through the "greatest jobs theft" in the history of the world, saying US companies were moving out jobs to countries like China, Mexico and Singapore.

Russia sees a ray of light in Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump for his victory in US elections, hoping to work with him to improve relations, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin "expressed hope for mutual work on bringing US- Russia relations out of their critical condition" and said that "building constructive dialogue" would be in the interest of both countries and the world community, the Kremlin statement said. 

Shock and disbelief in Mexico

Mexicans bowed their heads in disbelief, the peso tumbled and the government prepared a response as Donald Trump, whose anti-immigrant rhetoric infuriated the country, won the US presidential election.

The dollar was buying 20.78 pesos, eclipsing the Mexican currency`s previous low of 19.93 set in September. 

Mexicans have closely watched the US presidential campaign ever since Trump burst into the scene last year by calling migrants "rapists" and drug dealers.

The Republican real estate tycoon has pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, force Mexico to pay billions of dollars for a border wall, freeze remittances migrants send back home and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

European Union

European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he hoped for a "rational cooperation" with Donald Trump as the next US President after a bitter political campaign. 

"It will not be easy because during the election campaign we heard some elements of protectionism, also some worrying words about women, about minorities," said Schulz, a German Social Democrat.

"But my experience is also that election campaigns are different from the real politics during a term of the president so I hope that we will get back to a rational cooperation," he said in televised remarks.

"Mr Trump has managed to become the standard-bearer of the angst and fears of millions of Americans. Those concerns must now be addressed with credible policies," Schulz said. "Vitriol and polarisation have fuelled this electoral contest. President Trump will have the daunting task of bringing together a divided nation.

"From Syria to Iraq, from Ukraine to Libya, Trump’s role in diplomacy and deal making will be tested from Day One," he added.

"From the fight against global warming to its commitment to NATO, the world awaits and hopes for an outward-looking presidency aiming at shaping international relations and upholding the values of freedom and democracy."

Austria

 Austrian far-right leader Heinz-Christian Strache congratulated Donald Trump on his victory.

"The political left as well as the aloof and sleazy establishment are being punished by voters and voted out of various decision-making positions," the head of the populist Freedom Party (FPO) said on Facebook.

The FPO hopes for its own candidate Norbert Hofer to become the European Union`s first far-right head of state on Dec. 4.

Hofer, 45, an anti-immigrant EU critic hopes to succeed former Green Party leader Alexander Van der Bellen in a re-run of an annulled May election.

Trump victory is 'great news' in Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Donald Trump with the words "What a great news. Democracy is still alive" posted on his Facebook page.

Orban said in July that Trump`s plans on migration and foreign policy were "vital" for Hungary, whereas those of rival Democrat Hillary Clinton were "deadly".

Orban was then the first European head of state to express a clear preference for either of the two candidates.

Orban has in the past upset fellow members of the European Union over policy, most recently with his tough stance on Europe`s migrant crisis, objecting to EU resettlement plans and having a fence built along Hungary`s southern border.

"The migration and foreign policy advocated by the Republican candidate, Mr Trump, is good for Europe and vital for Hungary," Orban said in July. 

Germany worried about NATO

Germany`s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen described Donald Trump`s gains in the US presidential election as a "huge shock" and asked him for assurances on his commitment to NATO.

Von der Leyen told broadcaster ARD that the Republican candidate`s strong showing was "not a vote for him but rather against Washington, against the establishment".

"It was a big shock when I saw the way things are heading," she said as Trump edged closer to winning the White House with a series of shocking wins in key states such as Florida and Ohio, rattling world markets.

Iran wants Trump to honour accords

Iran`s foreign minister called on US president-elect Donald Trump to stick to international accords, following comments during the Republican`s campaign that he would tear up the nuclear deal with Tehran.

"Every US president has to understand the realities of today`s world. The most important thing is that the future US president sticks to agreements, to engagements undertaken," Mohammad Javad Zarif said in Romania.

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, offering "heartfelt congratulations": "Japan and the United States are unshakeable allies connected by common values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and rule of law."

South Korea hopes Trump will toe its line on North

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said that he believed Donald Trump would maintain the current US policy of pressuring North Korea over its nuclear and missile tests, if he wins the presidential election.

"Trump has indicated that the greatest problem facing the world is the nuclear threat and members of his national security team hold the position that favours applying strong pressure against the North," Yun said.

He made the comments in a meeting with members of parliament scheduled to discuss the results of the US presidential election. The North conducted its fourth and fifth nuclear tests in January and September, drawing widespread international condemnation. 

Australia wants Trump to focus on Asia

Australia feels that it was crucial for Washington to stay focused on Asia if Donald Trump wins the presidential election, with Canberra keen to see more US involvement in the region, not less.

Under President Barack Obama, the United States has pursued a foreign policy "pivot" towards the Asia-Pacific, including stationing marines in Australia, against the background of Beijing`s increasing assertiveness.

With tensions high over China`s claims in the South China Sea and fears Trump could be a negative for the region`s trade prospects, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it was critical that the US remain fully engaged.

"Countries in our region are looking for more US leadership and not less in the Asia-Pacific," she told Sky News in the first Australian reaction to a potential Trump win over former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

'Warm congratulations' from Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte offered "warm congratulations" to US president-elect Donald Trump and looks forward to working with him to enhance relations, a Philippine minister said.

Duterte, who has expressed outrage almost daily with the Obama administration and threatened repeatedly to end one of Washington`s most important Asian alliances, hailed the success of US democratic system and the American way of life, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim congratulated Donald Trump, saying it was an opportunity to further bilateral relations.

In a speech in the capital Ankara, Yildirim said a "new page" would be opened in US-Turkey relations if Washington extradited the US-based cleric Turkey blames for orchestrating the July 15 failed coup.

"An area of opportunity has been created for the new president to advance relations with policies taking into account Turkey`s fight against terror," Yildirim said. 

With agency inputs