MEXICO CITY (AP) – Leaders around the world have welcomed the arrival of US President Joe Biden and the end of Donald Trump’s often confrontational presidency, noting the world’s most pressing problems, including the COVID – 19 pandemic and climate change , requires multilateral cooperation, an approach that Trump mocked.
Many people on Wednesday expressed their hope that Biden would rectify the largest democracy in the world two weeks after seeing rioters descend on the Capitol and shake the faith of those fighting for democracy in their own countries.
Governments targeted and sanctioned under Trump seized the opportunity for a fresh start with Biden, while some heads of state praising Trump’s blend of nationalism and populism were more subdued in their expectations of the Biden government – and in some cases spoke nostalgically of the Trump years. .
But an opportunity to repair weakened alliances and work together to address issues that extend beyond any national borders did the day.
Biden “understands the value and importance of multilateralism. He understands the importance of cooperation between countries, “said former Colombian President and Nobel laureate Juan Manuel Santos, who left office in 2018.
“If we do not work together – all nations – to fight climate change, we will all perish. It’s as simple as that, ”Santos said.
French President Emmanuel Macron also notes the urgency of addressing the dangers facing the world of climate change after Trump withdrew the US from the Paris climate agreement, a move Biden would take in the first hour of his presidency reversal.
With Biden “we will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet, “he wrote on Twitter. “Welcome to the Paris Agreement!”
Elsewhere in Europe, close US allies have finally had a chance to emerge from the cold after strained security and economic relations with the Trump administration.
“This new dawn in America is the moment we have been waiting for so long,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, referring to Biden’s arrival as “good proof that Europe is back after four long years. friend in the White House. “
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that relations between the Atlantic and the Atlantic had been very difficult for the past four years. In these years, the world has become more complex, less stable and less predictable. ”
‘We have the difference and it will not disappear in a magical way. It seems that America has changed, and how it is perceived in Europe and the rest of the world has also changed, “added Michel, whose open criticism of the Trump era contrasted with the silence that prevailed mostly in Europe. while the Republican leader was in the White. House.
In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued a video statement calling Biden’s inauguration a ‘good day for democracy’.
“Despite efforts to tear down America’s institutional structure, election workers and governors, the judiciary and Congress have proven strong,” he said.
With Biden and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris, Steinmeier said the U.S. will once again be an “important partner” in tackling issues such as the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, security issues, including arms control and disarmament, and multiple conflicts.
In Ballina, Ireland, where Biden’s great-grandfather was born in 1832, a mural of a smiling Biden adorns a wall in the city, where some of the president’s relatives still live.
“As he takes the oath of office, I know that President Biden will feel the weight of history – the presence of his Irish ancestors who left Mayo and Louth in famine in search of life and hope,” Irish Prime Minister Micheal said. Martin said.
Pope Francis urged Biden to help promote reconciliation in the United States and build a society ‘characterized by authentic justice and freedom’ and especially to look after the poor.
The “serious crises” facing all of humanity call for far-sighted responses, Francis said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has formed close ties with Trump, noted a ‘warm personal friendship’ with Biden. “I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the alliance between America and Israel … and to address common challenges, including the threat posed by Iran,” Netanyahu said.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who accused Trump of unfair prejudice against Israel with policies such as moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, expressed hope for a more equitable approach to Biden. He insisted on a comprehensive and just peace process that would fulfill the Palestinian people’s pursuit of freedom and independence. ‘
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose country has had a tumultuous relationship with Washington after being criticized for supporting the Afghan Taliban, said in a tweet that he was looking forward to building a stronger partnership by trade, economic involvement and combating climate change.
In Latin America, Biden immediately faces immigration challenges, and the leaders of the two most populous countries – Brazil and Mexico – were happy with Trump. The Trump administration has also taken a hard line against governments in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, which have expanded painful sanctions.
In Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro’s government has called for dialogue with the Biden government, hoping the incoming president has abandoned the deluge of harmful sanctions imposed by Trump to tackle a change of government.
However, some Venezuelans, such as retired accountant Jesús Sánchez, 79, said he was disappointed to see Trump leave power. Trump supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó and Venezuela as he gave hope that Maduro’s days in power were numbered.
Carlos Vecchio, Guaido’s envoy to Washington, who recognizes the U.S. as the ambassador to Venezuela, tweeted photos of himself at Biden’s inauguration. The invitation to attend is being put forward by Venezuela’s opposition as proof that Biden’s government will continue its strong support and resist requests from Maduro for a dialogue that the US has so far strongly rejected.
Cuba’s leaders may have a more realistic hope of improved relations: Biden was in the White House for the historic thaw in relations in 2014, and several officials expressed willingness to reopen a dialogue with Washington if there was respect for Cuba. s sovereignty.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel took to Twitter to fight Trump, referring to “more than 200 measures that have intensified the financial, commercial and economic blockade, the expression of a despicable and inhumane policy.”
In Mexico, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who cultivated an unexpectedly friendly relationship with Trump and was one of the last world leaders to acknowledge Biden’s victory, read from a letter he sent to Biden in 2012, in which he asked that the bilateral relationship of security not be reoriented. and military aid and in the direction of development.
He urged Biden to implement immigration reform, adding: “We need to maintain a very good relationship with the US government and I have no doubt that this will be the case.”
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Cook reports from Brussels. AP writers Nicole Winfield in Vatican City, Kathy Gannon in Islamabad, Laurie Kellman and Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Alex Sanz in Atlanta, David Rising in Berlin, Joshua Goodman in Miami, Andrea Rodriguez in Havana, Scott Smith in Caracas, Venezuela, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.