Government leaders from across the globe took to Twitter to congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on taking the nation’s reigns during a turbulent moment in world history, expressing optimism about the prospect of collaborating with the new administration on topics ranging from security and counterterrorism to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Biden in a Jan. 20 statement, touting his country’s bond with the U.S. as “one of the most unique relationships in the world, built on a shared commitment to democratic values, common interests, and strong economic and security ties.”
“Our two countries are more than neighbors—we are close friends, partners, and allies,” he wrote.
Trudeau said the U.S. and Canada will keep working together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and “support a sustainable economic recovery that will build back better for everyone,” counter climate change, and champion diversity and inclusion, while simultaneously cultivating domestic and international “democracy, peace, and security.”
In a press briefing a day earlier, Trudeau said Biden’s inauguration would “mark a new chapter” in the U.S.-Canada relationship.
“I’m really looking forward to working closely with the new President and his team to create jobs and build back better for us all,” he said at the time.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also heralded the inauguration as “a new beginning,” and said his country would stick with the U.S. to fight terror on the path towards peace.
“In these trying times, Afghanistan stands alongside the United States—our foundational partner—as it starts anew to restore partnerships for peace and to tackle the multilayered problem of terrorism,” he tweeted.
In a video posted to Twitter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the new American leadership, citing his decades-long “warm, personal friendship” with Biden.
“I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world and to confront common challenges, chief among them, the threat posed by Iran,” he said.
The Twitter accounts of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had both notably stayed mum on the topic of Biden’s swearing-in as of press time.
However, Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted a jab at the Trump administration in a tweet, saying the memory of former Quds Force Commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani and others would “shine on.”
“Perhaps new folks in DC have learned,” he wrote.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he awaits collaborating with Biden to foster a more robust partnership between the two countries “through trade & economic engagement, countering climate change, improving public health, combating corruption & promoting peace in [the] region & beyond.”
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson also tweeted congratulations to Biden and Harris, deeming U.S. leadership “vital” on issues important to both countries.
“As I said when I spoke with him on his election as President, I look forward to working with him and with his new administration, strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities from tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic, and strengthening our transatlantic security,” Johnson said in remarks delivered on the floor of the British Parliament, captured in a video that was separately tweeted out by his office early on Jan. 20.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the new U.S. leadership will make the U.S. and France “stronger to face the challenges of our time,” to craft a collective future, and to safeguard the Earth.
“Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!” he added in the tweet.
In a speech to members of the French military a day prior, Macron expressed optimism the Biden administration would be more dedicated to countering terrorism in Iraq and Syria than its predecessors and urged the U.S. to step up its defense cooperation game, the Associated Press reported.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called Jan. 20 “a great day for democracy, reaching far beyond the American borders,” and wished Biden and Harris “good work.”
Scandinavian leaders made a point to praise Biden’s first speech as Commander-in-Chief in addition to welcoming the new administration.
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg tweeted thanks to Biden “for an encouraging inaugural speech offering us all to cooperate” and asserting that “Norway is ready!”
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven also tweeted approval of Biden’s “message of unity and respect” and a similar desire to get down to business.
Chilean President Sebastian Piñera sent Biden well wishes on the morning of the inauguration, noting that the new administration would be tasked with “healing the soul of the country and strengthening civic friendship.”