MEXICO CITY 鈥� World leaders welcomed into their ranks the new U.S. President Joe Biden, noting their most pressing problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, require multilateral
Many expressed hope Biden would right U.S. democracy two weeks after rioters stormed the Capitol, shaking the faith of those fighting for democracy in their own countries.
Governments targeted and sanctioned under Trump embraced the chance for a fresh start with Biden, while some heads of state who lauded Trump鈥檚 blend of nationalism and populism were more restrained in their expectations.
But the chance to repair frayed alliances and work together on global problems carried the day.
China, whose U.S. relations nosedived due to widespread frustration in Washington over its human rights record and accusations of technology theft, expressed hope about the change in the White House.
鈥淚 think after this very difficult and extraordinary time, both the Chinese and American people deserve a better future,鈥� Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily briefing.
Biden 鈥渦nderstands the importance of
French President Emmanuel Macron and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama were among those welcoming U.S. attention to climate change. After Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, Biden reversed the move in the first hours of his presidency Wednesday.
With Biden, 鈥渨e will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet," Macron wrote on Twitter. 鈥淲elcome back to the Paris Agreement!鈥�
Other European allies saw a chance to come in out of the cold after strained relationships with the Trump administration.
European Council President Charles Michel said trans-Atlantic relations have 鈥済reatly suffered in the last four years" while the world has become less stable and less predictable.
鈥淲e have our differences and they will not magically disappear. America seems to have changed, and how it鈥檚 perceived in Europe and the rest of the world has also changed,鈥� added Michel, whose open criticism of the Trump era contrasted with the silence that mostly reigned in Europe while the Republican leader was in the White House.
In Ballina, Ireland, where Biden鈥檚 great-great-grandfather was born in 1832, a mural of a smiling Biden adorned a wall in the town, where some of the president鈥檚 relatives still live.
鈥淎s he takes the oath of office, I know that President Biden will feel the weight of history 鈥� the presence of his Irish ancestors who left Mayo and Louth in famine times in search of life and hope,鈥� Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who formed close ties with Trump, noted a personal friendship with Biden and said he looked forward to working together to further strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has accused Trump of unfair bias toward Israel with policies like moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, expressed hope for a more even-handed approach from Biden. He urged 鈥渁 comprehensive and just peace process that fulfills the aspirations of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence.鈥�
In Latin America, Biden faces immediate challenges on immigration, and the leaders of the two most populous countries 鈥� Brazil and Mexico 鈥� were chummy with Trump. The Trump administration also expanded painful sanctions against governments in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
In Venezuela, President Nicol谩s Maduro's government urged dialogue with the Biden administration, while hoping the new president abandons the avalanche of damaging sanctions Trump imposed to attempt a regime change.
Some Venezuelans, however, like retired accountant Jes煤s S谩nchez, 79, said he was disappointed to see Trump leave power. Trump backed opposition leader Juan Guaid贸, giving Venezuelans like him hope that Maduro鈥檚 days in power were numbered.
Carlos Vecchio, Guaido鈥檚 envoy in Washington who the U.S. recognizes as Venezuela鈥檚 ambassador, tweeted photos of himself at Biden's inauguration. The invitation to attend was touted by Venezuela鈥檚 opposition as evidence the Biden administration will continue its strong support and resist entreaties by Maduro for dialogue that the U.S. has strenuously rejected until now.
Cuba鈥檚 leaders perhaps have a more realistic hope for improved relations: Biden was in the White House for the historic thaw in relations in 2014, and various officials expressed willingness to reopen a dialogue with Washington if there was respect for Cuba鈥檚 sovereignty.
President Miguel D铆az-Canel railed against Trump via Twitter, citing 鈥渕ore than 200 measures that tightened the financial, commercial and economic blockade, the expression of a despicable and inhuman policy.鈥�
In Mexico, President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador, who cultivated an unexpectedly friendly relationship with Trump and was one of the last world leaders to recognize Biden鈥檚 victory, read from a letter he sent to Biden in 2012, calling for reorienting the bilateral relationship away from security and military aid and toward development.
He urged Biden to implement immigration reform, and added: 鈥淲e need to maintain a very good relationship with the United States government and I don鈥檛 have any doubt that it鈥檚 going to be that way.鈥�
U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region expressed anticipation of strengthening those alliances under a Biden administration. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Taiwan鈥檚 President Tsai Ing-wen and others highlighted their shared values as leaders of democracies.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said: 鈥淎merica鈥檚 new beginning will make democracy even greater.鈥�
Former Australian diplomat Rory Medcalf said Biden would likely find diplomatic partners across the Indo-Pacific region ready not for American leadership but partnership in 鈥渃ollective action鈥� against Chinese 鈥渟trategic assertiveness.鈥�
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Biden was a good friend to New Zealand and highlighted in particular the words given in his inaugural address. 鈥淧resident Biden鈥檚 message of unity as he takes office is one that resonates with New Zealanders,鈥� Ardern said.
World leaders also acknowledged the history of
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter congratulated both Biden and Harris, whose maternal grandfather was Indian.
鈥淭hat is an historic moment and one that, I think as a father of daughters, you can only celebrate," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
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Cook reported from Brussels. AP journalists around the world contributed to this report.
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This version has been corrected by removing the reference to the U.S. as the world's largest democracy.
Lorne Cook And Christopher Sherman, The Associated Press
