In a recent CBS interview, US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed how scared the international community is of a possible Donald Trump presidency. He has also expressed that it is both difficult and embarrassing to explain to foreign leaders the details of the race for the party nominations through the primary process. To support Kerry’s statements, below are some examples of what foreign leaders think about the outrageous tycoon trying to make his way to the White House.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron characterized Donald Trump as “divisive, stupid and wrong” after Trump’s controversial comments about the Muslim community in the US, his ideas on diversity in the country, and his well-known philosophy on the impact of immigrants on society.
Notably, Pope Francis has referred to Trump as unchristian. He denounced the businessman for his comments on refugees and immigrants, encouraging him to remember the basic principles of Christianity of accepting and caring for others.
One of America’s neighboring heads of state, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, has stated that he considers Trump a man of enormous ignorance, and that he believes Trump is harming US-Mexican relations. The President was offended by Trump’s idea to build a wall to divide Mexico and the US, and the fact that he would attempt to force Mexico to pay for it.
China has largely avoided making comments on Trump, but when the Chinese Government realized that there was a real chance that he could win the Republican nomination, they issued a comment through state-owned Chinese daily newspaper, the Global Times.
They referred to Trump as “big-mouthed” and “abusively forthright.” They were particularly incensed by the businessman’s assertions that Chinese people are stealing American jobs through working on lower wages. The Chinese understandably fear that if Trump gets elected, he could actually implement his plan to put a 45% tax on all Chinese imports.
Ironically, Russian President Putin thinks differently. He believes Trump is a talented, colorful man. This tacit support should speak for itself.
One thing is sure: if Trump wins and make his way to the White House, US foreign relations, and thus the country’s significance and relevance in world affairs, will face significant change.
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore and available under Creative Commons 2.0 license.
