World Leaders Congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

Now that the election has officially come to an end, leaders from around the world have been congratulating President-elect Joe Biden, welcoming him as a leader and expressing their interests in cooperation with the United States.

The Biden Harris win was acknowledged by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a speech the Sunday following election day. In his speech, Boris Johnson made sure to specifically congratulate Kamala Harris on becoming the first woman Vice President of the U.S. Biden and Johnson’s relationship is strained, but Johnson said that “there is more that unites than divides us.”

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron tweeted his congratulations following a call with the President-Elect. He mentioned that he wants to continue his relationship with the U.S. while addressing the issues of “climate, global health, international security”.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Biden on his win through Twitter following their phone call. In his tweet, Modi reiterated India’s “firm commitment to the Indo-US strategic partnership.” Modi continued, pointing out the specific issues of climate, the COVI-19 pandemic, as well as Indo-Pacific Regional cooperation.

Many other leaders have offered their congratulations to Biden including, but not limited to, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin , Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Turkish President Recep Tayyip, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Another important congratulations came from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He made sure to highlight the importance of Senator Kamala Harris’s election in his speech the Monday following election day, as she will be the first female vice president of the U.S. He describes his excitement to work with the U.S. on the issues pressing both their countries and the rest of the world.  Trudeau continued to speak on the importance for women worldwide to see a woman in power, but not only a woman, a Black and South Asian woman.  He says that her election is a reminder that “everyone’s voice belongs in politics.”  

Teen Lenses: “How do you feel the world leaders congratulating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on becoming the president and vice president elect has affected your view of the new leaders?”

“Knowing that other trusted leaders are excited and congratulating Biden Harris, gives me hope that this was the best choice for our country. As someone who already supported Biden and Harris it only reassured me about my thoughts and choices.” Annika Church, junior, Lexington, Kentucky

“I feel like seeing other world leaders praise them makes me look forward to the next few years with Biden as president.  It feels nice to possibly be respected by the world, I guess. I don’t think it’s really impacted my view of the Biden administration altogether, but it has made me happier for the upcoming years.” Molly Wilcoxson, junior, Lexington, Kentucky 

“Honestly it hasn’t changed my view at all. I don’t care about what Boris Johnson, Trudeau etc. says because I feel like I have already educated myself on Biden and Harris’ opinions and I don’t need to be swayed by a foreign leader.” Katie Taylor, junior, Lexington, Kentucky