As Trump Sworn in as 47th US President, Global Leaders React with Hopes, Concerns
Donald Trump has officially been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to the White House. The inauguration was met with a mix of congratulations, cautious optimism, and outright concern from leaders and politicians around the world, Al Jazeera reports.
Several recommended stories highlighted tensions surrounding the event, including accusations of “oligarchic” optics, President Trump’s own doubts regarding a Gaza ceasefire, Elon Musk’s alleged influence on the election, and reports of Nazi salutes at an inauguration event.
Global Reactions Mixed
The global response to President Trump’s return has been varied:
• China: Beijing expressed a desire for cooperation with the US, particularly regarding trade disputes. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated China is “willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with the United States, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” amidst concerns of threatened new tariffs.
• Russia: President Vladimir Putin welcomed President Trump’s team’s stated aim to re-establish direct contact between the two nations, saying the previous administration was responsible for the halt. He also applauded Trump’s statements about avoiding World War III:
“We certainly welcome such an approach.”
• NATO: Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated on X that the alliance will “turbo-charge defense spending and production” with President Trump back in office.
“Together we can achieve peace through strength – through NATO!”
• Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the “best days of our alliance are yet to come,” expressing confidence that they will “complete the defeat of Iran’s terror axis and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our region.” He thanked President Trump for his previous efforts to free Israeli captives in Gaza and said he looks forward to working with him to “destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza.”
• Palestine: President Mahmoud Abbas said Palestine is prepared to collaborate with President Trump on a peace plan, “guided by the two-state solution based on international legitimacy.” He expressed the vision of “the establishment of the State of Palestine and the State of Israel living side by side in peace and security.”
• Syria: De facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said he anticipates improved relations between Syria and the US under Trump’s leadership.
“We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region,” he said in a statement.
• Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that Germany’s policy will prioritize maintaining a strong transatlantic relationship with the United States, emphasizing its status as its “closest ally.”
• Panama: President Jose Raul Mulino rejected President Trump’s statements regarding the US “taking back” the Panama Canal.
“The canal is and will continue to be Panama’s,” he declared, stressing the need for dialogue.
• Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky described the day as “a day of change and also a day of hope for the resolution of many problems, including global challenges.”
