By Hannah Stafford, News Editor
In the wake of America’s presidential election, multiple countries around the world are expressing congratulations, surprise and fear at President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Germany is one that has shown concern and apprehension in regards to Trump. According to the BBC, German newspapers displayed headlines such as “Oh my God!” and “We’re in mourning” on Wednesday, Nov. 9. BBC also reported that Trump has less than four percent approval among German citizens.
According to the Washington Post, German Deputy Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel declared, “Trump is the trailblazer of a new authoritarian and chauvinist international movement. . . . They want a rollback to the bad old times in which women belonged by the stove or in bed, gays in jail and unions at best at the side table.”
America is Germany’s number one trade partner, making the possibility that Trump might cut trade concerning as well.
“This will bring changes to the world,” said Peter Beyer, spokesman of Chancellor Angela Merkel on transatlantic relations. “It’s not the same place as before Nov. 8. Someone with the character of Donald Trump has an effect not just nationally but internationally, globally.”
Beyer went on to say that these are “fragile times” for the world and said, “Maybe [Trump will] prove us wrong. I hope so.”
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Trump is the trailblazer of a new authoritarian and chauvinist international movement. They want a rollback to the bad old times in which women belonged by the stove or in bed, gays in jail and unions at best at the side table.[/perfectpullquote]
Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, had a very different reaction. In a video released Wednesday, Nov. 9, Netanyahu congratulated Trump and thanked him for supporting the alliance between the two countries.
“You are a great friend of Israel,” said Netanyahu. “Over the years you’ve expressed your support consistently and I deeply appreciate it. I look forward to working with you to advance security, prosperity and peace.”
Trump met with Netanyahu earlier this year and has often stated that his policies will support a stronger relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
Netanyahu continued, “Israel is grateful for the broad support it enjoys among the American people, and I’m confident that the two of us, working closely together, will bring the alliance between our two countries to even greater heights.”
One of America’s strongest allies, Great Britain, has shown very mixed reactions to Trump’s election. NBC reports that chief Brexit campaigner, Nigel Farage, met with Trump in New York, Saturday, Nov. 12, where they discussed U.S. and UK relations, Brexit and the American election.
Farage later posted a picture of the two of them on Twitter and said, “It was a great honor to spend time with Donald Trump. He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I’m confident he will be a good president.”
Great Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May, who has expressed dislike of Trump in the past, released a statement on social media, congratulating him.
“Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise,” said May. “We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defense.”
Britain’s Labor Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn refused to congratulate Trump. He posted a message via Twitter stating that Trump’s election was “an unmistakable rejection of a political establishment.”
“This is a rejection of a failed economic consensus and a governing elite that has been seen not to have listened,” said Corbyn. “And the public anger that has propelled Donald Trump to office has been reflected in political upheavals across the world.”
He went on to say that this election is a “global wake-up call” and that he still has faith in “the decency and common sense of the American people.”
