Diplomats raise alarm over Donald Trump

Foreign diplomats are expressing alarm to the US government officials about what they say are inflammatory and insulting public statements by presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. Officials from Europe, the West Asia, Latin America and Asia have complained in recent private conversations, mostly about the xenophobic nature of Mr Trump’s statements, said three US officials, who all declined to be identified.

“As the (Trump) rhetoric has continued, and in some cases amped up, so, too, have concerns by certain leaders around the world,” said one of the officials.

The three officials declined to disclose a full list of countries, but said they included at least India, South Korea, Japan and Mexico.

US officials said it was highly unusual for foreign diplomats to express concern, even privately, about candidates in the midst of a presidential campaign. US allies in particular usually don’t want to be seen as meddling in domestic politics, mindful that they will have to work with whoever wins.

Senior leaders in several countries — including Britain, Mexico, France, and Canada — have already made public comments criticising Mr Trump’s positions. German economy minister SigmarGabriel branded him a threat to peace and prosperity in an interview published on Sunday.

Mr Trump’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the private diplomatic complaints.

Japan’s embassy declined to comment. The Indian and South Korean embassies did not respond to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the Mexican government would not confirm any private complaints but noted that its top diplomat Claudia Ruiz Massieu said last week that Mr Trump’s policies and comments were “ignorant and racist” and that his plan to build a border wall to stop illegal immigration was “absurd.”