President Trump: America first, certainly not Europe

by Hans Izaak Kriek*

The international reactions were totally different, caution in China, sorrow and danger in Mexico, cork-popping in Moscow - here are some of the global responses to Friday’s power handover. 

Especially the European leaders are not amused about the speech of The Donald. In the first official German reaction to Trump’s inauguration vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said: “Germany will need a new economic strategy geared toward Asia should the new US administration start a trade war with China”, warning of a ’rough ride’ hours after the sworn in of Trump. “What the new President said were high nationalistic tones, I think we have to prepare for a rough ride”, when he was interviewed bij public broadcaster ZDF. 

Prime Minister Medvedev of Russia gave a totally different reaction in a positive way on Facebook: “We are ready to do our share of the work to improve the relationship.” The pro-Trump atmosphere that was visible in Moscow was largely of a tongue-in-cheek character, trolling the hated US ‘establishment’ and what Russians hope will be the end of a US that lecture them on human rights. Funny was same reactions, the Army of Russia shops in central Moscow offered all Americans 10% off merchandise on inauguration day, while the occasional restaurant offered a special Trump burger or other gimmicks. 

Also, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel posted a message on social media. “Congrats to my friend President Trump. Look forward to working closely  with you to make the alliance between Israel & USA stronger than ever.”  Prime Minister May will be next Friday the first international leader who visits Trump in Washington. Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary of the UK tweeted already his congratulations to both Trump and the vice president Pence, but the Liberal Democratic leader, Farron, called Trump’s journey to the White House ‘the most divisive, vulgar and illiberal presidential campaign in memory’ before calling on May to stand up to Trump. 

People wonder how he dare to speak like this way as a politician. If he meets Trump one day, he would probably pee in his pants. The leader of the opposition Corbyn urged him to put the ‘misogyny and the racism’ of his presidential campaign behind him. Corbyn said he hoped that as president he would reach ‘out ‘to all communities across the United States’ and called on him to promote ‘critical engagement’ with Russia. 

President Hollande of France did not mention Trump by name during a press conference in eastern France, referring instead to ‘my colleague taking the oath’ and criticising the protectionism that Trump advocated. The French President has previously said that Trump’s victory ‘opens up a period of uncertainty, that ‘must be faced with lucidity and clarity’. The leaders of Europe are anxious about the relationship between US and Russia. The really big test will be over the next few months. The question is Euro- politician are going to have so see whether a harder edge comes into his approach to Russia, and whether he is prepared to validate a sense of commitment to NATO and to Europe.

The ‘clown’ of the European Parliament former Belgian Prime minister Guy Verhofstadt wrote on Twitter: “Hostile inauguration speech. We can’t sit around and hope for US support and cooperation. Europe must take its destiny and security in its own hands.” Many European leaders offered perfunctory notes of congratulations. Some appeared to be trying to will Trump to behave like a conventional US President. The next 100 days will show how Trump is acting. 

Trump said in his inauguration speech: “Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. I will fight for you with every breath in my body - and I will never, ever let you down.” America first.

*Hans Izaak Kriek is US correspondent and political commentator for European Business Review and is editor-in-chief for Kriek Media