International reactions to the 2016 United States presidential election

International reactions to the election of Donald Trump on November 8, 2016 emanated from across the world including states and other institutions. Financial markets reacted positively in the day before the election on cues that Clinton would win. Trump's win drove down financial markets around the world.

Supranational bodies

NATO

• Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, whose organization Trump has said was "obsolete" during the campaign, said:

  US leadership is as important as ever. Our Alliance has brought together America's closest friends in times of peace and of conflict for almost 70 years. A strong NATO is good for the United States, and good for Europe. We face a challenging new security environment, including hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, the threat of terrorism. NATO has responded with determination to the new security situation. But we have more work to do. And I look forward to meeting Mr. Trump soon, and welcoming him to Brussels for the NATO Summit next year to discuss the way forward.

He further added: "NATO's security guarantee is a treaty commitment and all allies have made a solemn commitment to defend each other and this is something which is absolute and unconditioned." He reminded that NATO was part of Operation Enduring Freedom and that NATO "is important both for collective defence in Europe and to provide help and play a role in the fight against international terrorism."

European Union

• Donald Tusk congratulated Trump and invited him to a EU-US summit to improve co-operations.

States

Americas

Argentina

• The Argentine chancellor Susana Malcorra congratulated Trump for his victory, but also regretted that the US did not elect a female president for the first time. President Mauricio Macri also congratulated him shortly afterwards.

Brazil

• President Michel Temer issued a statement that read Trump's election will not change the relationship between the two countries that is "institutional" and "from State to State."

Canada

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later said this via Facebook on November 9th, 2016: "I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory in the United States. Our shared values are strong. Our common purpose is to build countries where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, and where the government works first, foremost and always for the people it governs. The Canadian government will continue its hard work toward these ends, and we offer our hand in partnership with our neighbours as friends and allies as they move forward."
• Former diplomat Colin Robertson said Clinton winning would be beneficial for Canada's because of the continuity it would offer with Obama's tenure. "We've already got a reset relationship starting in March, confirmed at the end of June when the president came up here."

Cuba

• Former diplomat Carlos Alzugaray said a Trump victory could, however, please some hard-liners in the Cuban leadership who were worried about that Cuba was moving too close to the United States too quickly.

Mexico

• President Enrique Peña Nieto congratulated Trump via Twitter saying "Mexico and the U.S. are friends, partners and allies who should continue working for the competitiveness and the development of North America".

Africa

Egypt

• President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi congratulated Trump and said "Egypt is looking forward to seeing a new spirit brought to the presidential term of President Trump in terms of Egyptian-American relations, including more cooperation and coordination for the mutual benefit of the American and Egyptian people." The two had met during the opening of the seventy-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Kenya

• President Uhuru Kenyatta sent a congratulatory message to Trump and said "the American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. The ties that bind Kenya and the United States of America are close and strong. They are old, and based in the values that we hold dear: in democracy, in the rule of law, and in the equality of peoples."

Asia

Afghanistan

• Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement that read a Trump administration "should allow Afghans to become a free nation and have relationships with other countries based on non-interference in each other's affairs."

Armenia

• President Serzh Sargsyan congratulated Trump and wrote "I have no doubt, that under your able leadership the United States will achieve further progress and advancement in the years to come."

Bangladesh

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a statement to congratulate Trump and invited him and his wife to visit Bangladesh. She wrote, "I am confident that under your leadership, the existing bilateral relation between our two friendly nations would be further strengthened. I look forward to working closely with you for advancing our bilateral and multilateral interests and contributing to create a safe and secured world, where our coming generations could live and continue to prosper peacefully. I cordially invite you and Mrs Melania Trump to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time and see for yourself the phenomenal development that took place in Bangladesh in the recent years."

China

• President Xi Jinping congratulated Trump and said he looked forward to working together to promote ties in a "constructive" way to avoid conflict and confrontation. He added that both countries shared common interests and shouldered a "special and important responsibility in upholding world peace. I highly value China-U.S. relations and am looking forward to working with you to expand cooperation in all fields, including in bilateral, regional and global aspects." He says he expects they would "manage differences in a constructive way, in the spirit of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, cooperation and win-win."

India

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump and wrote that "we appreciated the friendship you have articulated toward India during your campaign." He added that he looks forward to working with him. During a campaign rally to woo Indian-Americans, Trump adapted a slogan from Modi's own campaign that changed from "ab ki baar, Modi Sarkar" to "ab ki baar, Trump sarkar" (now is the time for a Modi/Trump government).

Indonesia

• President Joko Widodo congratulated Trump and said that "Indonesia will continue its mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States." He also invited the President-elect "to continue to work together to build peace and create prosperity for the world" and added that he remained "optimistic about United States-Indonesia relations under a Donald Trump presidency."

Iran

• President Hassan Rouhani said the result would not change his countries policies. He added, in reference to Trump's administration possibly distancing the U.S. from the rest of the world, that: "The position of the United States has been weakened within the international community and in the world’s public opinion as a result of wrongful policies, and a wider gap with the global community and Europe will further harm that position." He also said that the U.S. could not spread Iranophobia as forcefully anymore in order to get international consensus against the Iran. "The Islamic Republic’s policy of constructive interaction with the world and breaking up nuclear sanctions, has placed Iran’s economic ties with all countries on an improving and irreversible course." He noted that the JCPOA was an agreement with a one country or government but was approved by the UN Security Council Resolution and thus could not be overturned unilaterally.

• Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, while visiting Romania, that Iran expects a new government to respect the JCPOA. "It is our norm not to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. Since Iran and the US have no political relations, what is important is that America’s next president is bound by the multilateral commitments of the JCPOA. We are certain the international community would expect the same thing from the United States of America." Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi also said that U.S. policies in the past decades brought about "an unpleasant, bitter experience" for the Iran. "What is important to Iran and its people, and would be used by them as evaluation criteria is the next US administration’s future performance and executive policies." He added that the policies of previous administration, including intervention in the Middle East, are the “main factor behind the escalation of tensions." As such, it called for a review of its policies vis-à-vis other regions.

• Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said the outcome indicates "a rise in frustration and distrust among the majority of the American society with the current structure and trends in the country." He also hoped the result would lead to a revision of policies that had been "based on disregard for the interests of the majority and reliance on countless resources, which it was using to pursue imperialism, interventionism, warfare, and bloodshed against other countries." He noted that no change in government in another country would make Iran change its "independent course and smart attitude."

Iraq

• The Popular Mobilization Forces of Iraq congratulated Trump on Twitter and stated that "together we will defeat ISIS.

Israel

• President Reuven Rivlin congratulated Trump. He added: "I hope together Israelis and Americans can grow our innovation and cooperation, which are the fruits of liberty, and equality."
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump. His statement added that "President-elect Trump is a true friend of the State of Israel. We will work together to advance the security, stability and peace in our region. [...] I'm certain that President-elect Trump and I will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between Israel and the United States, and bring it to new heights."
• Education Minister Naftali Bennett said: "Trump’s victory is an opportunity for Israel to immediately retract the notion of a Palestinian state. This is the position of the president-elect. The era of a Palestinian state is over."

Japan

• Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered "heartfelt congratulations" to Trump and said the two countries are "unshakeable allies connected by common values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights and rule of law. The stability of the Asia-Pacific region, which is the driving force of the global economy, brings peace and prosperity to the United States."
• Katsuyuki Kawai, a political aide to Abe in charge of diplomacy, said that he after meeting Abe he had been instructed an unnamed official to visit Washington the following week. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga added that it was not because Japan was unprepared for Trump's win. "We have been preparing so that we can respond to any situation because our stance is that our alliance with the U.S. remains to be the cornerstone of our diplomacy whoever becomes the next president."

Malaysia

• Prime Minister Najib Razak congratulated U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, saying the Republican victor had appealed to Americans who wanted to see the United States less embroiled in intervention abroad. Najib said he looked forward to continuing a partnership with the United States under Trump's presidency.

Palestine

• President Mahmoud Abbas hoped the Middle East peace process "will be achieved" during Trump’s presidency and also congratulated him.
• Saeb Erekat, Abbas' aide, said he did not expect a change in U.S. policies over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under Trump. He added that both the Republican and Democratic parties were committed to a two-state solution and that he thought "this will not change with the coming administration."

Philippines

• President Rodrigo Duterte offered "warm congratulations" to Trump and looks forward to working with him to enhance relations, according to a statement by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
• President Duterte, at a gathering of Filipinos in Kuala Lumpur during his Malaysian visit, said that he "don't want to fight because Trump is there". Duterte has been hostile with the United States and U.S. President Barack Obama. He, then, congratulated Trump and greeted him, "Mabuhay ka! [May you live!]".

Singapore

• Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Trump saying "voters have elected a president whom they feel best represents them and Singapore fully respects their decision." He added that Singapore will continue to work together with the United States to cultivate strong ties.

Europe

Czech Republic

• President Milos Zeman's Spokesman Jiří Ovčáček said that "average Americans managed to beat pseudo-elites and the lying media." Zeman had previously endorsed Trump.

Denmark

• Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen released a statement that read Trump was elected after an unusually fierce and confrontational campaign. He also congratulated Trump and expressed a hope for continued good relations between Europe and the U.S.

Finland

• President Sauli Niinistö congratulated Trump and wished him luck and "wisdom in his significant duties." He also highlighted the international tension and the role of the president of the United States in shaping the world.

France

• President Francois Hollande says the election "opens a period of uncertainty. It must be faced with lucidity and clarity." He also congratulated Trump "as is natural between two heads of state [but] certain positions taken by Donald Trump during the American campaign must be confronted with the values and interests we share with the United States. What is at stake is peace, the fight against terrorism, the situation in the Middle East. It is economic relations and the preservation of the planet." He had previously endorsed Clinton.
• Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said France would continue to work with the new president whoever wins. However, he expressed concern about Trump's lead and said it could hold a cautionary message for Europe. "We don't want a world where egoism triumphs. [But] there is a part of our electorate that feels...abandoned, [including people who feel] "left behind" by globalization." He added that a Trump victory could bring "more incertitude" to French politics.
• National Front leader Marine Le Pen congratulated Trump even before the final result. She wrote on Twitter of her support for the "American people, free!".

Germany

• Chancellor Angela Merkel offered close cooperation with the United States. She called the electoral campaign "unique" and stressed "democracy, freedom, the respect for the law and the dignity of human beings, independent of their origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political position" are values for both Germany and the U.S.
• Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany respected the outcome despite it not being favored by most Germans. "The result is not to be underestimated. The result is different from what most people in Germany desired. But of course, we have to accept it."
• Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the result was "a big shock," and was "a vote against Washington, against the establishment. We Europeans obviously know that as partners in the NATO, Donald Trump will naturally ask what 'are you achieving for the alliance,' but we will also ask 'what's your stand toward the alliance.'" She added the government were work to establish working level contacts to find out the new contact persons.
• Christian Democratic Union head of the Bundestag's Foreign Affair Committee Norbert Roettgen said: "We’re realizing now that we have no idea what this American president will do if the voice of anger enters office and the voice of anger becomes the most powerful man in the world."

Ireland

• President Michael D. Higgins spoke of the deep connection between Ireland and the United States, conveying "best wishes to President Elect Donald Trump, wishing him and the American people every good fortune for his term in office."

Italy

• Prime Minister Matteo Renzi vowed to maintain strong and friendly ties between Italy and the United States and said that the international community should consider Trump's election as a new starting point.

Netherlands

• Right-wing Member of Parlement Geert Wilders wrote on Twitter "A historic victory! A revolution." He added that : "We also will give our country back to the people of the Netherlands."

Russia

• President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump and said: "The current US-Russian relations cannot be called friendly. Hopefully, with the new U.S. president a more constructive dialogue will be possible between our countries."
• Duma Foreign Affairs Committee member Vyacheslav Novikov said "three minutes ago, Hillary Clinton acknowledged her defeat in the U.S. presidential elections and just a second ago, Trump began his speech as president-elect. I congratulate all of you on this." The Duma then broke into applause.
• Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said: "We of course regard with satisfaction that the better candidate of the two presented to the American voters was victorious." He added that he hoped the Ambassador to Russia John Tefft would leave. "We hope that this ambassador leaves Russia ... he hates Russia."

Turkey

• President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "I hope that this choice of the American people will lead to beneficial steps being taken for the world concerning basic rights and freedoms, democracy and developments in our region."
• Justice Minister Bekiz Bozdag said a change will not make a big difference to the "deep-rooted" relations between the two countries. "...in essence our relations are relations between two states and we hope that under the new presidential term the Turkish-U.S. relations will be much better. That is our expectation. I saw an intense campaign for Hillary Clinton's victory. Artists, sportsmen, all personalities worked for Clinton's victory. But in elections, it is important to embrace the people. No one has won elections through newspaper headlines, opinion polls or television (campaigns)."

United Kingdom

• Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Trump. In relation to Brexit, she invoked the so-called "Special Relationship" stating that the two countries would remain "strong and close partners on trade, security and defence."
• Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a key figure in the Brexit campaign earlier in 2016, congratulated Trump and looked forward to opportunities to co-operate between the two countries. He had previously ridiculed Trump for his statements on Islam in Europe.
• Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who had removed Trump from a list of business ambassadors to the country due to his comments on Islam, said that it was not the result she wanted but that the American decision should be respected.
• Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn gave a mixed reaction, opining that Trump's victory was the American people's reaction to failed economic policies and a distant "governing elite". However, he added that some of Trump's views used "divisive rhetoric" that was "clearly wrong".

Liberland

Oceania

Australia

• Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull thanked Barack Obama for his leadership over the past eight years. He also said that the U.S. was "a great and powerful nation and they are a great and powerful friend." Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that her government is ready to work with whomever the American people "in their wisdom" choose. She added that a U.S. presidential election is always a momentous occasion and in this instance, "it has been a particularly bruising, divisive and hard-fought campaign." She further said the new administration will face a number of challenges, including in Asia-Pacific, and Australia wants to work constructively with the new administration to ensure the continued presence and leadership of the United States in the region. She said the U.S. is "our major security ally" and the largest foreign direct investor and the second-largest trading partner. "The United States is also the guarantor and defender of the rules-based international order that has underpinned so much of our economic and security issues. And interests."

Financial markets

The Mexican peso rallied in the day before the election on speculation Trump would lose over his alleged anti-Mexican comments, while the stock markets of the world also rallied on speculation Clinton would win after the dropping of FBI charges against Clinton. The price of gold, in turn, dropped after days of increasing for the same reason.

After the result, the US dollar and stock markets sank, especially in the Asia-Pacific region which was open as the result came in. In like measure, traditional safe haven assets such as sovereign bonds and gold were higher. The Mexican peso fell about 13%. Dow Jones futures also fell about 3%. Japan's Nikkei fell by over 6.1%. The price of oil also fell by 2.4%. Notably, however, unlike other global markets, Russia's MICEX rose after the result.

See also

• International opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2016