Views From Abroad on United States Vote

Europeans look to Clinton for economic rejuvenation

EUROPE is reacting positively to Clinton's win, hoping that he can rejuvenate the US economy and thus provide economic relief to the rest of the world.

There's a feeling here that the victory marks the beginning of a new period of younger, post-cold-war leaders in the industrialized world. This, of course, would not bode well for hangers-on like German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President Francois Mitterrand.

The Financial Times of London sees in Clinton the start of a world trend away from supply-side economics to a time of "efficient" governments that incorporate aspects of supply-side thinking but allow for more government intervention.

In Brussels, policy makers are tending to take Clinton at his word - that he stands for continuity in foreign policy.

But there is also skepticism among Europeans. The French daily Le Monde writes: "We have to note that we will be dealing with American authorities who will be more protectionist and more isolationist than before." Most Europeans now expect a long delay in GATT trade talks.