Vishnu Narayanan
10th November 2020
United States: Global leaders appreciated Joe Biden's election victory on Sunday as US president as a chance to enhance cooperation on climate change and other problems after four years of President Donald Trump's rejection of international alliances.
This is believed to be the start of an excellent opportunity for these leaders to come together and fight the COVID 19 pandemic. According to CNN, the leaders of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan invoked 'shared values' with Joe Biden and expressed hope for close relations in many years to come. Although Trump refused to accept the election results, several allies voiced hope for a fresh start following Trump's 'American First' trade policies, withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, and attacks on NATO and the World Health Organization.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga posted on Twitter saying, "I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the Japan-US Alliance and ensure peace, freedom, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond", prior to the election victory on Sunday. President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said he looked forward to working together for the shared values between them, as reported by Reuters. Most Western allies welcomed a fresh start. Many have been dismayed at Trump's criticism of the decades-old military and economic alliances. Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia told reporters of The Guardian that he looks forward to a 'great partnership' with the US. He stated challenges including the coronavirus and other challenges, including 'ensuring a free and open' Indo-Pacific region- referring to China's disputes with its neighbours over control of vast tracts of ocean. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a photo of himself with Joe Biden congratulating him and hoped to bring the Indo-US Relations to new heights.
Joe Biden during the kickoff rally which was held earlier this May ​(Source- usnews.com)
After the results, many people, particularly in nations with fragile politics, took Biden's win as improving the outlook for the respect of democracy. The President-elect has substantial challenges- to provide international leadership in tackling the growing unrest in the Mid and Near Easts, to help defeat Covid, but above all, to restore stability and faith in democracy within the United States itself.
(Sources- The Guardian, Reuters, CNN, MSN)
Edited by Nivedita Dutta