World Leaders React: Hope and Worry After Trump's Inauguration

When Donald Trump became the 47th US president, leaders worldwide reacted with a mix of excitement, apprehension, and outright defiance. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino swiftly reassured his citizens that the Panama Canal would remain under their control, despite Trump's comments. Meanwhile, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm among Mexican immigrants in the US, emphasizing the need for dialogue and respect. Trump's plan to declare a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and deport "millions of criminal aliens" sparked these responses. Cuban President Miquel Diaz-Canel expressed outrage after Trump reinstated Cuba on the US state sponsors of terrorism list. Other leaders, like Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, praised Trump's personal qualities and the potential for cooperation. In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reminded Trump of the successful economic partnership between the two countries. European leaders with similar ideologies to Trump, like Hungary's Viktor Orbán, were enthusiastic about the new administration. Russia's Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has previously praised, expressed openness to dialogue regarding the Ukraine war. India's Narendra Modi and Japan's Shigeru Ishiba also congratulated Trump, with Ishiba noting Trump's preference for bilateral negotiations. In some European countries, leaders emphasized historic friendships despite Trump's ally Elon Musk's controversial remarks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the enduring partnerships between their countries and the US.