'People just exhaled': UAE's American residents react to Joe Biden's victory

Reforms to America's health, economic and environmental policies are expected

US President-elect Joe Biden delivers his victory address after being declared the winner in the 2020 presidential election in Wilmington, Delaware. EPA

A man dressed as Abraham Lincoln holds a sign as people celebrate in the streets before US president-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks from Delaware AFP

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris react as confetti falls, with Jill Biden and Douglas Emhoff, after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

A family reacts as they listen to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris' speeches. Reuters

People celebrate in West Hollywood, California. AFP

Supporters of US President Donald Trump rally in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Supporters of US President Donald Trump rally in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

People celebrate at Times Square in New York. AFP

People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC. AFP

A man dressed as Uncle Sam celebrates while standing on a statue outside City Hall, Philadelphia. AFP

Trump supporters react as people celebrate after major news organisations called the US 2020 presidential election for Joe Biden, in Philadelphia. EPA

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and their families watch fireworks from stage after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

Supporters of US President-elect Joe Biden celebrate on Black Lives Matter Plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC. AFP

People celebrate at Times Square in New York. AFP

A woman holds a white peace flag sign as people march in Los Angeles. AFP

Americans living in the UAE said people "exhaled" when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump to win the US presidential election.

They said the world suffered during Mr Trump's four-year term because he lacked credibility.

And they looked forward to seeing major reforms to their country's health, economic and environmental policies.

“I am positive people exhaled when the announcement was made that Biden was President-elect,” said Gary Roberts, a financial political consultant in Abu Dhabi, who served as advisor to former US presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

“The world suffered" during Donald Trump’s term, he said.

Those presidents had clarity, honesty, credibility and sensibility, he said, while Mr Trump had none of those things.

“The country is coming out of the biggest disaster it has been in.”

The former vice president defeated Mr Trump following a nail-biting count after last week's election. Mr Trump has become the first one-term president since George H Bush in the 1990s. He has yet to concede and now Mr Biden faces a difficult task to unite a fractured country in the face of a Republican-controlled Senate but Mr Roberts said he had faith.

"One of the major problems was the healthcare system. It was not functioning the way a healthcare system functions and it wasn’t working for black and brown and vulnerable people - period.”

Before the election, the UAE's American Trump fans outlined why they support him but Mr Roberts expected Mr Biden to "straighten up the system where people can get adequate care and services".

“How come in a black neighbourhood you cannot find fresh vegetables and fresh fruits?"

His daughter also welcomed Mr Biden's victory.

“I was ashamed for the first time of being an American,” said his daughter Tessa Roberts, of the past four years.

“The pressure of being an American when Trump was elected - it was so embarrassing what happened to our country,” said the 33-year-old.

She said she was grateful during the past four years that “God sent me to the UAE, where I could find peace and policemen who don’t threaten my father [an African American]".

Mr Roberts and his family have been living in Abu Dhabi for the past 17 years.

She said now she believes things will change for the better, and she "can hold the US flag loud and proud once again".

Gina Dillon, another supporter of Mr Biden, said she was delighted.

“I haven’t been this happy since I gave birth to my son,” said Ms Dillon, whose son Max is now 16.

“He [Joe Biden] wasn’t my first choice but he was the best choice,” said the 55-year-old entrepreneur.

Ms Dillon comes from a political home as her mother used to be mayor of their hometown, McClure, in the state of Illinois.

“I was hoping for a more progressive candidate but as we moved through the process I thought Joe Biden is the leader we need to guide us through this very difficult process.

“I think everything will change with Biden and that is for the better," she said.

Mr Biden's inauguration is set for January 20 and Ms Dillon is hoping for better days ahead.

She wants the response to Covid-19 resolved first.

“Number two, the economy and our international standing, and number three, the environment.”