World Leaders Tense Over Trump’s White House Entry... Emphasizing Partnership with the US

World Leaders Send Congratulatory Messages and Emphasize Cooperation
Putin Says "Open to Dialogue with New U.S. Administration"
Potential for Geopolitical Conflicts with China and Mexico

On the 20th (local time), Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Argentine President Milei, and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng (from left) attended Trump's inauguration ceremony held in Washington D.C. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Donald Trump, who repeatedly emphasized "America First," was inaugurated as the President of the United States on the 20th (local time), and leaders from various countries were busy emphasizing partnerships with the U.S. It appears they intentionally highlighted cooperation with the U.S. to minimize their own countries' damage in case Trump's announced policies on tariffs, immigration, and withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) materialize.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, who is concerned about the possibility of reduced U.S. support regarding the Ukraine war, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that day, "President Trump is always decisive, and his announced policy of 'peace through strength' strengthens U.S. leadership and offers an opportunity to achieve long-term and fair peace," expressing a welcoming message.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, expressed willingness to discuss the Ukraine issue with President Trump. During a video meeting of the Russian Security Council that day, Putin said, "I congratulate the inauguration of the President-elect Trump," and added, "We are open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration regarding the Ukraine conflict." Since Trump advocated for an early end to the Ukraine war during his candidacy, it is expected that a summit to discuss an exit strategy for the Ukraine war will be scheduled within weeks. CNN reported on the 19th (local time) that President Trump instructed his aides to arrange a phone call with President Putin within days after his inauguration.

Putin also said, "We have seen the newly elected U.S. President and his team say they want to restore direct contact with Russia, which was halted not because of us but because of the outgoing U.S. administration. We have also heard statements about doing everything possible to prevent a third world war," and added, "We welcome this stance." This is interpreted as a sign that Russia intends to establish a new relationship with the U.S., contrasting with the confrontational stance during the previous Biden administration, which maintained a hardline policy against Russia.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, who was pressured by President Trump with the statement "I will make you the 51st state of the U.S.," also sent a congratulatory message. Trudeau wrote on X, "Canada and the United States have the most successful economic partnership in the world. We have an opportunity to cooperate again to create more jobs and prosperity for both countries."

Amid forecasts that the automobile industry will be hit due to universal tariffs, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, posted on X, "The United States is our closest ally, and our policy goal has always been to maintain a good transatlantic relationship," leaving a congratulatory message.

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, who is facing demands from the U.S. to increase defense spending, also emphasized, "With President Trump's return, we will accelerate defense spending and production," and added, "We can achieve peace together through strength and NATO." President Trump has pressured NATO countries, whose defense spending is around 2% of GDP, to raise it to 5%, arguing that allies are free-riding on security.

Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, who was the only European leader to attend President Trump's inauguration, wrote on X, "I am confident that we will continue to strengthen the partnership between our two countries, jointly address global challenges, and build a future of prosperity and security for our people," and added, "Italy will always be committed to strengthening dialogue between the U.S. and Europe." King Charles III of the United Kingdom also emphasized, "The two countries share a special relationship."

Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico, which has been criticized by the U.S. as a hotbed of illegal immigration, said at a regular press conference that day, "We are well prepared and expect to reach agreements through consultations with the Trump administration on various issues."

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, did not issue a separate congratulatory message. However, during a visit to frontline military units that day, he said the start of Trump's second term is "an opportunity for Europe's strategic awakening." President Macron argued that Europe should reduce its dependence on the U.S. and urged European countries to invest more in defense.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, also expressed his intention to strengthen the alliance in the future, saying to President Trump, who shows a pro-Israel stance, "The golden age of the U.S.-Israel alliance has not yet come."

Meanwhile, geopolitical issues with China and Mexico are expected to cause conflicts with the U.S. in the future. At the inauguration, President Trump said, "China is currently operating the Panama Canal. We will take it back," and also stated, "The Gulf of Mexico will be changed to be exclusively American."

Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of South Korea, expressed on X, "We look forward to the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance," and added, "Just as during the term of the 45th U.S. President, the Republic of Korea hopes to make the alliance great again during the term of the 47th President."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.