Global leaders responded to President Trump’s return to the White House on Monday with well wishes and offers of diplomatic cooperation.
While President Trump’s inaugural address prioritized “America first,” his specific mentions of Mexico, Panama, and China raised questions about upcoming U.S. policies under his administration.
The governments of China, Mexico, and Panama did not respond to inquiries regarding Trump’s statements, including his assertion that the U.S. would “take back” the Panama Canal, fully transferred to Panama in 1999.
“China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama,” the president stated. “And we’re taking it back.”
Trump also vowed to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rejected Trump’s comments, stating, “The Canal is and will continue to be Panama’s, and its administration will remain under Panamanian control, respecting its permanent neutrality.”
“No nation interferes with our administration,” he added, challenging Trump’s claim that the U.S. “gave” the canal to Panama.
“Dialogue is always the best way to clarify these points without undermining our right to complete sovereignty and ownership of our Canal,” Mulino said.
Reports indicate Mexico opposes Trump’s plan to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy. In a Monday morning press conference, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s foreign secretary, stated, “If they reinstate it, we disagree. We have a different approach. We want to adjust it.”
“Our aim is to maintain current policies,” he added.
China did not publicly comment following Trump’s inaugural address, which was attended by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump on his return to the White House and suggested openness to peace talks with Ukraine.
“We’ve noted statements by the newly elected U.S. President and his team expressing a desire to restore direct contact with Russia,” Putin said, according to a Reuters translation.
“We also hear his statement about the need to prevent World War III,” he added. “We welcome this and congratulate the elected President of the United States on assuming office.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also offered congratulations before the inauguration, stating, “I congratulate President Trump and the American people on the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States. Today marks change and hope for resolving many problems, including global challenges.
“President Trump is always decisive, and the ‘peace through strength’ policy he announced offers an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a lasting, just peace, our top priority,” he added.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte offered “warm congratulations” and posted on X, “With President Trump back in office, we will turbo-charge NATO.”
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen also used X to state the EU “looks forward to working closely with you to address global challenges.”
“Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and enhance common security,” she added.
While many European nations, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, expressed their close alliance with the U.S., others were less effusive in their congratulations.
French President Emmanuel Macron offered a measured response in a speech to the French military on Monday.
Macron described the Trump presidency as an “opportunity for a European strategic wake-up call” and highlighted potential threats to European security, such as a reduced U.S. military presence in Europe if Washington prioritizes Asian security concerns.
Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a congratulatory video message on X, saying, “I believe that working together again we will elevate the US-Israel alliance to even greater heights.”
“The best days of our alliance are yet to come,” he added.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri also commented on the inauguration, stating, “We are glad Biden is gone, he has Palestinian blood on his hands,” reported Reuters.
“We hope this dark era, which harmed the U.S. more than anyone, ends and that Trump will build policies on balanced foundations to counter Netanyahu’s evils threatening the region and the world,” he added.