Europe hails Obama victory, seeks better trade ties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday led a chorus of European praise for Barack Obama, with the United States’ traditional allies looking to yet more openness and better trade ties from the President’s second mandate.

“I look forward to continuing this (cooperation), so that both our countries can continue to work side-by-side to master the most important foreign and economic challenges that we face as friends and allies.”

Ms. Merkel cited the pair’s past “close and friendly cooperation” regarding the ongoing financial crisis, peacekeeping in Afghanistan and efforts to control Iran’s nuclear programme.

British PM David Cameron stressed cooperation on efforts to revive the world economy and resolve diplomatic conundrums, such as the Syrian conflict, as the key issues facing transatlantic relations over the next four years.

“There are so many things that we need to do: we need to kick start the world economy and I want to see an EU-US trade deal,” Mr. Cameron said in a statement issued during his current tour of the Middle East.

“Right here in Jordan I am hearing appalling stories about what has happened inside Syria, so one of the first things I want to talk to Barack about is how we must do more to try and solve this crisis,” Mr. Cameron said.

In Brussels, European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Mr. Obama should help them address “global challenges, including in the fields of security and economy.” They also highlighted efforts to “unlock the unparalleled potential of the trans-Atlantic market” as a priority.

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Mr. Obama on his re-election as US president, saying voters had made the choice of “an open America” that believes in solidarity and multilateralism.

“It’s an important moment for the United States but also for the world,” Mr. Hollande said in a message to Mr. Obama.

“Your re-election is a clear choice in favour of an open America that shows solidarity and is fully committed to the international stage and aware of our planet’s challenges: peace, the economy and the environment,” he said.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt praised Mr. Obama’s “inclusive campaign” but noted that Mr. Obama faced major challenges since Congress was politically divided, and it remained to be seen how the President would be able to carry out his economic policy.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said he had “no complaints” about Mr. Obama, despite describing himself as a conservative, while Belgian Prime Minister Elio di Rupo said Americans had opted for “a more just and more tolerant America.”