President Trump ‘s inauguration sparked an array of reactions from the six other democratic economies of the G7, with some issuing quick congratulations and others taking a more measured, or even muted, tone.
Japan and the United Kingdom were quick to hail Trump’s inauguration. \u00ab\u00a0Look forward to continuing strong UK – US bond,\u00a0\u00bb Boris Johnson, the top U. K. diplomat, tweeted.
Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK – US bond\u2014 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 20, 2017
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was more fulsome. \u00ab\u00a0I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to you on the occasion of your inauguration as the President of the United States of America,\u00a0\u00bb he said. \u00ab\u00a0In the 21st Century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming severer. The Japan-U. S. Alliance, bound in universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, is playing even greater role. The Japan-U. S. Alliance is the linchpin of Japan’s foreign and security policies. I would like to further strengthen the unwavering tie between Japan and the United States based on the relationship of trust between us the two leaders. \u00a0\u00bb
Subscribe today to get intelligence and analysis on defense and national security issues in your Inbox each weekday morning from veteran journalists Jamie McIntyre and Jacqueline Klimas.
Canadian President Justin Trudeau, who has criticized Trump implicitly and was a ready partner for outgoing President Obama , stated his desire to \u00ab\u00a0restore prosperity to the middle class on both sides of the border\u00a0\u00bb \u2014 a sign of his pivot to accommodate Trump’s populist economic platform while working to maintain Canada’s interests.
Italy also tweeted its congratulations. Angelino Alfano, Italy’s foreign affairs minister, said he has \u00ab\u00a0confidence in the new president. \u00a0\u00bb
Congratulazioni a @realDonaldTrump! L’Italia ha fiducia nel nuovo Presidente e nel grande rapporto di amicizia con gli #USA. #Inauguration \u2014 Angelino Alfano (@angealfa) January 20, 2017
Germany and France seemed slowest to respond to the formal inauguration. Hours after Trump was sworn in, the French ministry of foreign affairs had tweeted a statement congratulating the president of Gambia for his inauguration as well as a pledge to \u00ab\u00a0stand by Iraq in the fight against\u00a0\u00bb the Islamic State, but nothing directly addressed to Trump. The French embassy to the United States tweeted a happy birthday message to an \u00ab\u00a0American-French journalist carrying on a family legacy of advocacy for our oceans. \u00a0\u00bb (The French embassy to the United States hosted an inauguration party Wednesday night, however.)
The German Foreign Office and Peter Wittig, the German ambassador to the United States, were similarly silent about Trump on social media. Wittig did respond to Trump’s criticism of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and NATO earlier in the week, however.
White House website pushes energy independence while cooperating with Persian Gulf allies.
\u00ab\u00a0Our transatlantic alliance is not merely something to admire in history books, however,\u00a0\u00bb Wittig wrote in a Jan. 17 op-ed in the Huffington Post. \u00ab\u00a0It needs to stay robust and resilient in the future as well. In an interview with several European newspapers the president-elect has elaborated on his positions. \u00a0\u00bb
D. C. police said they have arrested more than 90 people at the protest.<\/p>\n