BBCThe news of Donald Trump’s return to power in the White House is in the headlines around the world.
His so-called ‘America First’ foreign policy could see the withdrawal of US involvement in conflict zones around the world.
Five BBC journalists explore the impact it can have where they are.
Trump is seen as a break from the frontlines in Ukraine
By James Waterhouse, Ukrainian journalist, Kyiv
“Don’t try to predict Trump’s actions. No one knows what he’s going to do.”
The Ukrainian MP’s words reflect the political challenge facing Kyiv. A Trump victory was widely feared here, in terms of what it would mean for US support in the future.
The republic once vowed to end the war in one day, and has also criticized US military aid to Ukraine. Now, it’s anyone’s guess what he would have done.
“He can ask Putin to stop this war, and say ‘OK’,” said the leading soldier. “It’s a very bad situation because in a few years the Russians will advance again and they may destroy us.”
“The second situation is if Putin refuses,” he said. “There’s a chance that Trump will be more reactive. That’s a promising scenario.”
Ukraine hopes that means the US will continue to increase its military support in the face of a Ukrainian defeat.
For those close to the front lines who have had enough of Russia’s aggression, Trump is seen as a way to relax.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine who was once called by Trump “the greatest salesman in history” sent the first message of congratulations.
He talked about the political and economic opportunities that the partnership could provide, and he wants to be able to continue fighting.
There is also another ingredient.
Trump will not only consider additional military support for Ukraine, but also how he will respond to North Korea’s growing involvement in Russian aggression.
There are no plans to congratulate Putin
By Steve Rosenberg, Russia editor, Moscow
You can expect the Kremlin to be cocky when Trump wins the White House.
After all, during the campaign he avoided criticizing Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris called the Russian president a “murderous dictator”.
Trump also questioned the extent of US military aid to Kyiv.
However, publicly, the Kremlin is going out of its way to give the impression that it is not pleased with Trump’s victory.
“I don’t know about the plans I have [for President Putin] to congratulate Trump,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “Don’t forget that [America] an ‘unfriendly country’ directly and indirectly involved in the war against our country.”
The lowering of expectations is a result of the way Trump’s first term unfolded: the Kremlin had high hopes that Trump’s presidency would transform the relationship between the US and Russia. It didn’t happen.
Still, at the political discussion club I attend in the mountains above Sochi, Russia’s top political scientists seem to be looking forward to Trump’s succession.
One expert told me that he thinks that under Trump the US will “regress” from its position as a global superpower.
Another suggested that the US election is in line with the Kremlin’s “global vision”, where “liberal globalism has lost its effectiveness”.
European leaders see security issues
By Paul Kirby, European digital editor
When dozens of European leaders from the EU and beyond gather in Budapest on Thursday, those on the right will be celebrating Donald Trump’s election victory, but others will be wondering what’s next.
Hungarian broadcaster and Trump ally Viktor Orban took to Facebook with his happy message: “It’s in the bag!”
But for many EU leaders Trump 2.0 could signal a crisis ahead on security, trade and climate change.
Within minutes of congratulating the Republican candidate, France’s Emmanuel Macron said he had agreed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to work for a “united, stronger, more independent Europe in this new context”.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock gave an overview of that context. Having recently returned from Ukraine, he said that Europeans should now “think more and invest in our European security more”, with the US as a partner.
His Polish and NATO counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski said he had been in contact with Trump’s top team and agreed that “Europe must immediately commit to its own security”.
The prospect of increased US tariffs on EU exports weighs heavily as well. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Trump but offered a timely reminder that “millions of jobs and billions of trade” depend on their transatlantic relationship.
Israel has ‘clearly seen’ who Trump is
By Lucy Williamson, Middle East correspondent, Jerusalem
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, was one of the first to congratulate Trump and has called him Israel’s best friend in the White House.
Trump previously won favor here by scrapping the US-Iran nuclear deal that Israel opposed. He also upended decades of US policy by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Trump’s first term in office was a “model” for Israel, said Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to the US. But he adds: “We have to have a clear idea of who Donald Trump is and what he stands for.”
The former president sees wars as too expensive, Mr Oren said, and Trump has called on Israel to end the war in Gaza immediately.
“If Donald Trump takes office in January and says, ‘OK, you have a week to end this war’, Netanyahu will have to respect that.”
In Gaza, where Israeli forces have been fighting the Palestinian group Hamas, desperation has narrowed the focus of some citizens.
Trump has “strong promises”, said Ahmed, whose wife and son were both killed when their house was destroyed. “We hope he can help, and bring peace.”
Another displaced resident, Mamdouh, said he didn’t care who won the US election – he was looking for someone to help.
Xi may see an opportunity in the world
By Laura Bicker, China Correspondent, Beijing
China is preparing for the return of Donald Trump amid fears that his presidency will trigger a new trade war.
As president, Trump imposed tariffs on more than $300 billion in Chinese imports. In this case, he said the rates could be more than 60%.
Beijing will not stop – it will retaliate. But China’s economy is already sick and will not be able to cope with a second trade war.
Trump’s unpredictable policies and fiery rhetoric are also a headache for China’s stability-minded leaders.
But in the battle for power and influence, some analysts see an opportunity for Beijing.
The Biden administration has spent the past four years building friendships across Asia with the likes of South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam — all in an effort to contain China.
Trump’s “America first” doctrine, in the past, has divided and weakened these US allies. He prefers trying to make deals over serious discussions and often puts a tag on American friendship.
In 2018, he sought additional funding from South Korea to continue hosting US troops in the country
Make no mistake, China wants to challenge the US-led world order. Beijing has already formed alliances with emerging economies across the so-called Global South.
If Washington’s influence decreases in Asia and around the world, it would be a victory for President Xi.
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