Obama to host Trump at White House
Brave new world
"Likely" is unlikely clear enough for Washington's partners who see the entire global political order, which hinges on Washington's moral and military leadership, as cast into doubt.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to take on the mantle of champion of liberal values and "leader of the free world," an epithet usually reserved for American presidents.
She warned that "close cooperation" between the two countries must be based on shared democratic values, and reminded Trump of the global responsibility he carries.
"On the basis of these values, I offer close cooperation to the future president of the United States of America, Donald Trump."
Europe, already beset by financial and social crises and internal divisions, now faces existential questions about its own security. Trumphas questioned the US-led NATO's key collective defense guarantee.
The leaders of America's closest hemispheric partners, Canada and Mexico, quickly made clear their willingness to work with the new president, offering a message of continuity and stability with their giant neighbor.
Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto reached out to the president-elect, agreeing to a meeting.
Redemption, not recrimination
The Republican Party leadership, too, embraced their newfound champion.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, who had distanced himself from Trump in the final month of the campaign, pledged to "hit the ground running" and work with him on conservative legislation.
But Ryan also called for healing, saying the bitterly contested race must be followed by a period "of redemption, not a time of recrimination."
Likewise, Trump called for national reconciliation after Clinton conceded defeat in a result that virtually no poll had dreamed of predicting.
He told a crowd of jubilant supporters early Wednesday in New York "it is time for America to bind the wounds of division" as he pledged to work with Democrats in office.
On Wednesday Trump huddled at Trump Tower in New York with a group of advisers, planning the transition to running the world's largest economy when he takes office on January 20.
During a bitter campaign that tugged at America's democratic fabric, the tycoon pledged to deport illegal immigrants, ban Muslims from the country and tear up free-trade deals.
Trump's campaign message was embraced by a large section of America's white majority, grown increasingly disgruntled by the scope of social and economic change under Obama.
But it was passionately rejected by Clinton supporters.
Thousands of protesters rallied across the United States late Wednesday expressing shock and anger over Trump's election, vowing to oppose divisive views they say helped the Republican billionaire win the White House.
In Washington, several hundred gathered in front of the White House for a candlelight vigil on a damp, chilly evening, criticizing what they calledTrump's racism, sexism and xenophobia, and carrying signs reading "We have a voice!" and "Education for all!"
Some of the most enthusiastic support for Trump came from far-right and nationalist politicians in Europe such as French opposition figure Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini of Italy's Northern League and British euroskeptic Nigel Farage.
Russia's autocratic leader Vladimir Putin said he wanted to rebuild "full-fledged relations" with the United States, as he warmly congratulated the president-elect.
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