Leaders around the world reacted Monday to Donald Trump’s return to the White House, offering general well wishes and extending geopolitical olive branches.
While President Trump set the tone in his inaugural address and declared that he would “put America first,” he also drew attention to specific areas such as Mexico, Panama and China, raising more questions about how new U.S. policies under the 47th president of the United States could take shape.
Neither the governments of China, Mexico nor Panama responded to questions from Fox Information Digital following Trump’s statements during his inaugural address, even as he promised to “take back” the Panama Canal, which the United States completely handed over to Panama in 1999.
“China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama,” said the president. “And we are going to withdraw it.”
Trump also promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and pledged to reinstate his “Remain in Mexico” policies.
President-elect Trump arrives for his inauguration at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025. (Melina Mara/Pool/Getty Photos)
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MAIN OBJECTIVES
The president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino. issued a statement rejecting Trump’s comments said: “The Canal is and will remain Panamanian and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian management with respect to its permanent neutrality.”
“There is no presence of any nation in the world that will interfere with our administration,” he added, questioning Trump’s suggestion that the United States “handed over” the canal to Panama.
“Dialogue is always the way to clarify the aforementioned points without undermining our right, complete sovereignty and ownership of our Canal,” stated Mulino.
Reports suggested that Mexico rejected Trump’s plans to implement a “Remain in Mexico” policy and during a conference on Monday morning, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s foreign secretary, said: “If they reinstate it, This is something we don’t agree with. We have a different approach. “We want to adjust it.”
“The desire is to maintain the same policies as now,” he added.
China does not appear to have made any public comments following Trump’s inaugural address, which was attended by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, President of Argentina Javier Milei and Vice President of China Han Zheng attend the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol on January 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/Pool/AFP via Getty Photos)
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Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump on his return to the White House and suggested he might be open to peace talks with Ukraine.
“We see the statements of the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia,” Putin said, according to a Reuters translation.
“We also heard your statement about the need to do everything possible to avoid World War III,” he added. “Of course, we welcome this attitude and congratulate the president-elect of the United States of America on his inauguration.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Comparably, he issued his congratulations just before the inauguration ceremony, saying: “I congratulate President Trump and the American people on the inauguration of the 47th president of the United States. Today is a day of change and also a day of hope for the resolution of many problems, including global challenges.
“President Trump is always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a just, long-term peace, which is the top priority,” he added.
Former President Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower on September 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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EUROPEAN ALLIES
NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte offered his “warm congratulations” and in a post on X said: “With President Trump’s return to office, we will boost defense spending and production.”
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen also addressed X, saying the international body “looks forward to working closely with you to address global challenges.”
“Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen their common security,” he added.
While many nations in Europe, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom, congratulated Trump, and several leaders declared the United States their closest ally, other nations in Europe were less willing to issue congratulations. pronounced.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a warning note when giving a speech to the French army on Monday.
Macron said Trump’s presidency was an “opportunity for a European strategic wake-up call” and highlighted scenarios that some feared could affect European security, such as a decrease in the US military presence in Europe if Washington chooses to shift its focus toward security concerns in Asia. instead.
Donald Trump greets his supporters in West Palm Seaside, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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MIDDLE EAST
Just one day after the long-negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video message on X in which he congratulated Trump and said: “I believe that by working together again we will improve the alliance between United States and Israel.” to even greater heights.”
“The best days of our alliance are yet to come,” he added.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri also commented on the inauguration of the 47th president, saying: “We are happy with the departure of Biden, who has the blood of the Palestinians on his hands,” Reuters reported.
“We hope for the end of this dark period that harmed the United States before anyone else and that Trump can build his policies on balanced bases that can block the way against Netanyahu’s evils that want to drown the region and the world,” he added. .
