Image source, Getty Images
- author, Kelly Ng
- role, BBC News
Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race has sent ripples around the world, with many world leaders reacting to the news.
Trump also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and said he was “fully committed to serving as president” for the remainder of his term.
Many allies praised his foreign policy accomplishments but acknowledged the difficulty of his decisions.
“Thanks to you [Biden]”Transatlantic cooperation is strong, NATO is strong, and the United States is a good and reliable partner for us. His decision not to run again is commendable.” German Chancellor Posted by Olaf Scholz on X
of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “respected” Biden’s decision and “looked forward” to working with him for the remainder of his term.
“I know President Biden will make decisions based on his convictions about what is best for the American people, as he has done throughout his distinguished career,” Starmer added.
Prime Minister of Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, calling the president a “true friend” of Canadians. “He is a great man and everything he does is guided by his love for his country,” Trudeau said.
Others pointed to the difficulty of Biden’s decision to step down from power.
Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk said Biden has “taken tough decisions” throughout his political career that have “made the world a safer place and our democracy and freedoms stronger”.
“I know you were guided by the same principles when you announced your latest decision, perhaps the most difficult of your life,” he said.
Biden has come under intense pressure from Democrats in recent weeks to step aside after his poor performance in a debate with Donald Trump in June.
But as recently as last week, Biden had said he planned to continue campaigning. At 81, Biden is the oldest person to ever sit in the Oval Office.
Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida noted that Biden’s announcement was something the US president considered “the best political decision he can make.”
Kishida said, “The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of our country’s diplomacy and security, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala said Biden’s decision to withdraw was “responsible and personally difficult, but worth it.”
But Fiala also acknowledged growing political uncertainty in the United States.
“I pray for America that a good president will emerge from a democratic competition between two strong and equal candidates,” he said.
Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister “We need to watch the United States very calmly,” Antonio Tajani said. “Whether it’s Trump or Harris or whoever the next president is, we will work well together.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he respected Biden’s “tough but strong decision” and thanked him for his “unwavering support in Ukraine’s fight for freedom.”
“It is our sincere hope that continued strong U.S. leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding and its aggression from being rewarded,” Zelensky said.
Some countries in conflict with the United States have also reacted to Biden’s decision.
President of Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro called it “the wisest and most correct decision.”
“[Mr Biden] “I have come to the realization that at my age and in my frail health I am no longer capable of running for president, let alone assuming the helm of the country,” Maduro said at a campaign event for his re-election.
and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s priority remained the war in Ukraine, but he added that “a lot could change” before the US presidential election in November.
“We need to be patient and closely monitor what happens,” he said.