The 2016 presidential election was certainly a shocker to many, as real-estate mogul Donald Trump won the 270 electoral votes needed to reach the White House, defying countless polls from media outlets. His victory rocked not only the United States, but also the entire globe, and world leaders from all over shared their thoughts on it.
Many took a diplomatic tone despite past criticisms of Mr. Trump. Prime Minister of the U.K Theresa May, for instance, who just days before the election stated her disapproval of Mr. Trump’s campaign methods, chose to emphasize the great friendship and teamwork between her country and the U.S., saying that “Britain and the United States have an enduring and special relationship based on the values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. We are, and will remain, strong and close partners on trade, security and defense.” She stressed how she looks forward to working with Mr. Trump during his tenure in office. Likewise, Vladmir Putin, President of Russia, congratulated Mr. Trump, and spoke of how he hopes to restore Russian-U.S. relations with the help of the new American President. In a statement to Russian state television, he said, “Russia is ready and wants to restore the fully fledged relations with the US. I repeat we understand this will be difficult, but we are ready to play our part in it.”
Other international figures, however, were more reluctant to express positive feelings about Mr. Trump.
“The American people have expressed themselves,” French president François Hollande said in a statement released by his office. “They elected Donald Trump. I congratulate him. I am also thinking of Hillary Clinton.” Unlike Putin and May, Hollande did not mention any vision for future positive dealings with the American President and the American people. On a similar note, the President of Mexico, Peña Nieto, chose not to mention Mr. Trump by name, saying that “Mexico and the USA are friends, partners and allies that must continue to collaborate for the competitiveness and development of North America. I trust that Mexico and the United States will continue to strengthen their ties of cooperation and mutual respect.”
Still others insisted on being cryptic in their response, like Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi, who said vaguely about Mr. Trump’s electoral triumph, "I wish him good luck in his work. The Italian-American friendship is solid.”
It is interesting to see how world leaders have reacted to Trump’s election victory, considering that Trump insulted and criticized numerous rulers from around the world throughout his campaign. Watching as they now speak on his becoming President of the United States is intriguing and at times fascinating.