Germany, China and Russia react to Trump’s victory : NPR

The world is reacting to former President Trump’s election victory. In Russia, analysts are fascinated about the way it would possibly have an effect on U.S. navy help to Ukraine.

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Trump largely ran on an agenda specializing in the challenges with inflation, the border and migration, in addition to growing uncertainty all over the world. World leaders from the U.Okay., South Korea, Canada and Japan have congratulated Trump on the victory.

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Populists and far-right leaders in some international locations have reacted to President-elect Trump’s win with enthusiasm and hope. However most international locations’ governments are utilizing extra cautious phrases of welcome to Donald Trump’s election, usually underlining that he’s the selection of the American folks. And main powers comparable to China, Russia and Germany do have considerations about what the subsequent 4 years will deliver. We’ve got experiences from our correspondents overlaying these international locations.

ROB SCHMITZ, BYLINE: I am Rob Schmitz in Berlin, the place political leaders, relying on their celebration platforms, are both deeply fearful or extraordinarily energized about Trump’s victory. German chancellor Olaf Scholz, a pacesetter within the fearful class, was diplomatic in his response to Trump’s win, emphasizing there are deep political divisions each in Germany and within the U.S., however that in each international locations, there’s extra that unites us than divides us. Germany stated Scholz stays a dependable trans-Atlantic accomplice of the U.S.

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OLAF SCHOLZ: (Talking German).

SCHMITZ: “We will continue to contribute to this partnership,” Scholz stated, “and this applies in view of the threat that Russia poses to all NATO allies for trans-Atlantic security.”

German opposition politician Norbert Rottgen was extra frank along with his remarks.

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NORBERT ROTTGEN: (Talking German).

SCHMITZ: “In a worst-case scenario,” stated Rottgen, “Trump could strike a deal on Ukraine with Vladimir Putin – a deal at the expense of Ukrainians and Europe security. If the president of NATO’s leading member does this,” stated Rottgen, “then NATO loses all credibility. So even without formally dismantling the alliance,” he stated, “NATO could still be in mortal danger.”

The brand new secretary basic of NATO, Mark Rutte, stated Trump’s management will once more be a key to holding NATO sturdy.

On the opposite facet of Europe’s political spectrum, populist Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban known as Trump’s win, quote, “a much-needed victory for the world.”

And right here in Germany, the co-chair of the far-right different for Deutschland Get together, Alice Weidel, whose celebration is below home surveillance for the menace it poses to Germany’s democracy, stated this.

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ALICE WEIDEL: (Talking German).

SCHMITZ: “This was not the woke Hollywood who won this election,” stated Weidel, “but it was America’s working class who has emerged victorious.”

JOHN RUWITCH, BYLINE: That is John Ruwitch in Shanghai. The Chinese language authorities watched intently because the electoral votes piled up, and the international ministry was cautious with its phrases. Spokeswoman Mao Ning advised a information convention the election is an inner matter for the USA, and China respects the American folks’s selection.

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MAO NING: (Talking Mandarin).

RUWITCH: “Chinese policy towards the U.S. has been consistent,” she says, and will proceed to be dealt with in accordance with the, quote, “principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.”

She declined to touch upon an enormous difficulty, although – tariffs. Trump has talked about imposing recent commerce tariffs of 60% or extra on all Chinese language imports. That may undoubtedly push already rocky relations between the world’s two greatest economies to a brand new low level. And it will be an enormous concern for China, the place the native financial system has been struggling. The management has been making an attempt to kickstart issues, and they’re assembly in Beijing this week. Some consultants assume they might unveil recent financial stimulus measures, and with Trump reelected, they may go for a extra strong bundle.

The soon-to-be forty seventh president has had good issues to say about Chinese language chief Xi Jinping and says they have been good mates when he was in workplace the primary time. And a few right here assume Trump’s nonetheless a dealmaker at coronary heart. He is unpredictable but in addition much less ideological than many different American politicians, together with President Biden. Which will imply openings for Beijing on issues like human rights and Taiwan. How Trump’s insurance policies form up, although, could in the end depend upon who’s in his cupboard and who’s received his ear.

CHARLES MAYNES, BYLINE: I am NPR’s Russia correspondent, Charles Maynes. In Moscow, the Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin has no plans to congratulate Trump on his election victory simply but. The explanation – tensions over ongoing American navy assist for Ukraine.

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DMITRY PESKOV: (Talking Russian).

MAYNES: “Let’s not forget we’re talking about an unfriendly country,” stated spokesman Dmitry Peskov in his every day briefing with reporters, “and that the U.S. was both directly and indirectly involved in a war against the Russian state.”

Candidate Trump has repeatedly voiced skepticism over continued U.S. navy help to Ukraine, even claiming as soon as elected, he would negotiate peace between Kyiv and Moscow in a single day. But, Russian analysts cautioned Trump’s guarantees of a fast finish to the battle have been past unrealistic.

FYODOR LUKYANOV: In fact, 24 hours – that is ridiculous.

MAYNES: Fyodor Lukyanov is editor of Russia in International Affairs journal.

LUKYANOV: In case the eye of Washington, the Congress and cash can be diverted from Ukraine, that may have a really huge impression on the scenario on the battlefield, in fact, and in all probability create composition for hypothetical offers. However once more, not instantly.

MAYNES: Skepticism in Moscow is fueled by reminiscences of the U.S. election of 2016, when Trump’s pledge to enhance relations with Russia was shortly slowed down by allegations of Kremlin makes an attempt to intervene within the U.S. vote. Many argue a brand new Trump administration would once more face ingrained hostilities in direction of Russia from each events in Congress. And Trump’s repute for erratic conduct can also be a priority, says Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser.

SERGEI MARKOV: Trump is unpredictable. He’s for everyone. He is additionally for Russia.

MAYNES: For now, the Kremlin spokesman, Peskov, urged Moscow would take a wait-and-see method till Trump really took the oath of workplace. Solely then, he stated, might Russia choose the prospects for actual change in Washington.

SHAPIRO: That was NPR’s Rob Schmitz reporting from Berlin, NPR’s John Ruwitch in Shanghai and NPR’s Russia correspondent, Charles Maynes.

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