BBCThe news of Donald Trump’s return to power in the White House made global headlines.
His so-called “America First” foreign policy could lead to a withdrawal of U.S. involvement in conflict areas around the world.
Five BBC correspondents assess the potential impact in their locations.
Trump appears to be resting on the Ukraine front
James Waterhouse, Ukraine correspondent, Kyiv
“Don’t try to predict Trump’s actions. No one knows how he will act.”
The words of one Ukrainian lawmaker reflect the political challenges facing Kiev. There was widespread concern here about how a Trump victory would affect future U.S. aid.
Republicans have once vowed to end the war in a day and have repeatedly criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Now, who knows what he can do.
“We can ask President Putin to freeze this war, and he will say ‘OK,'” said a front-line soldier. “The worst-case scenario is that in a few years Russia could come back and destroy us.”
“The second scenario is if President Putin vetoes it,” he says. “It’s possible that President Trump will react radically. That’s the more likely scenario.”
Ukraine hopes this means the US will further step up its military support in the face of Ukraine’s possible defeat.
For those close to the front lines tired of Russian aggression, Trump is seen as an avenue of respite.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, once labeled by President Trump as “the greatest salesman of all time,” was quick to send a message of congratulations.
He talks about the political and economic opportunities that the partnership brings, and wants to keep fighting in return.
There are also other ingredients.
President Trump will need to consider not only more military aid to Ukraine, but also how or whether to respond to North Korea’s increasing involvement in Russian aggression.
Congratulations, Putin has no plans.
Steve Rosenberg, Russia Editor, Sochi
One might expect the Kremlin to be excited about President Trump taking back the White House.
After all, he avoided criticizing President Vladimir Putin during his campaign. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris called the Russian president a “murderous dictator.”
President Trump also questioned the scale of US military aid to Kiev.
But in public, the Kremlin has gone out of its way to give the impression that it is not thrilled about President Trump’s victory.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We are not aware that (Putin) has any plans to congratulate President Trump.” “We must not forget that (the United States) is an ‘unfriendly country’ that is directly or indirectly involved in wars against nations.”
The setback in expectations is a result of how President Trump’s first term went. The Kremlin had high hopes that U.S.-Russian relations would change with Trump’s inauguration. It wasn’t.
Nevertheless, in the political discussion club I attend in the mountains above Sochi, Russia’s leading political scientists seem to be looking forward to a Trump sequel.
One expert said he believes the United States will “regress” from global superpower status under the Trump administration.
Another suggested that the US elections fit into the Kremlin’s “overall vision of the world” in which “liberal globalism has reduced its efficiency.”
European leaders foresee future security challenges
Paul Kirby, Europe Digital Editor
When dozens of European leaders from inside and outside the EU gather in Budapest on Thursday, those on the right will celebrate Donald Trump’s election victory, while the rest will be left asking themselves what happens next. It will be.
Viktor Orbán, a Hungarian host and ally of President Trump, first posted a joyful message on Facebook: “It’s in my bag!”
But for many other EU leaders, Trump 2.0 could signal future challenges regarding security, trade and climate change.
Within minutes of congratulating the Republican candidate, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Germany’s Olaf would work towards “a Europe that is more united, stronger and more sovereign in this new situation.”・He stated that he had reached an agreement with Prime Minister Scholz.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock gave an idea of the background. Having just returned from Ukraine, he said Europeans now need to “think big and invest big in European security” with the United States as a partner.
Poland and NATO chief Radosław Sikorski said he had been in contact with President Trump’s top team and agreed that “Europe must urgently take greater responsibility for its security.” Ta.
The possibility that the United States will impose significant tariffs on imports from the EU also weighs heavily. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Trump, but noted that “millions of jobs and billions of dollars in trade” depend on the transatlantic relationship. A timely reminder.
Israel has ‘clear insight’ into who Trump is
Lucy Williamson, Jerusalem Middle East Correspondent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first to congratulate President Trump, previously calling him Israel’s best ever friend in the White House.
President Trump previously won support here by abandoning the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal, which Israel opposed. He also reversed decades of US policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren says President Trump’s first term was “exemplary” as far as Israel is concerned. But he added, “We have to have very clear insight into who Donald Trump is and what he stands for.”
Oren noted that the former president believes war is expensive and that Trump is urging Israel to quickly end the war in Gaza.
“If Donald Trump took office in January and said, ‘Okay, we have a week to end this war,’ then Prime Minister Netanyahu would have to respect that.”
In Gaza, where Israeli forces continue to battle the Palestinian group Hamas, desperation has drawn some residents into focus.
Mr. Ahmed, who lost his wife and son when his home was destroyed, said Trump had “some strong promises.” “I hope he helps and brings peace.”
Another refugee, Mamdouh, said he didn’t care who won the US election, he just wanted someone to help him.
Xi may see an opportunity on the world stage
Laura Vicker, Beijing China Correspondent
China is preparing for the return of Donald Trump, with concerns that his presidency could spark a new trade war.
As president, Trump imposed tariffs on more than $300 billion of Chinese imports. This time, he said, tariffs could exceed 60%.
The Chinese government will not remain silent and will retaliate. But China’s economy is already in trouble, and it won’t feel like a second trade war is going to drag on.
President Trump’s unpredictable policies and fiery rhetoric are also a headache for China’s leader, who prefers stability.
But in the battle for power and influence, some analysts see an opportunity for Beijing.
Over the past four years, the Biden administration has forged friendly relations across Asia with South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries in an effort to contain China.
President Trump’s “America First” philosophy has isolated and weakened these U.S. alliances in the past. He prefers trying to make deals over delicate diplomacy, and often puts a price tag on U.S. friendships.
In 2018, he asked South Korea for more money to keep U.S. troops stationed there.
Make no mistake, China wants to challenge the US-led world order. Beijing is already building alliances with emerging economies across the so-called Global South.
Weakening U.S. influence in Asia and around the world could be a victory for President Xi.
North American correspondent Anthony Zurcher covers the race for the White House in his twice-weekly U.S. Elections Unspin newsletter. UK readers can sign up here. People outside the UK can sign up here.
