The prospect of a Donald Trump presidency unnerves businesspeople and economists who see him as a reckless novice who might disrupt trade and a struggling global economy.
Financial markets sank Wednesday as Trump declared victory following a campaign marked by fiery anti-foreign rhetoric and promises to tear up trade deals, restrict immigration and lock up political rivals.
Trump's shifting and radical positions on key issues and lack of details such as who might be appointed to Cabinet posts heightened jitters by leaving many uncertain about the direction of the world's biggest economy and market.
"We simply can't know what type of President Trump will be," said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist for Capital Economics, in a report.
"Will he be the demagogue from the campaign trail, who threatened to lock up his political opponents, punish the media, build border walls and start a global trade war?" said Ashford. "Or is he capable of becoming a statesmanlike figure who leads in a more measured manner?"
Due to such uncertainty, risks to global growth will rise as companies wait to see what Washington does, said South Korea's finance minister, Yoo Il-ho, according to a government statement.
In a victory speech, Trump was conciliatory but pledged to put U.S. interests first. He gave no additional details about his plans.
For more about how Trump's presidency might affect American businesses...
