Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 06-11-2024

World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump on Wednesday as he triumphed in a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris.

Here are the first reactions, with many being expressed even before his election win was confirmed:

China: ‘mutual respect’

Without directly mentioning Trump, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing that China hopes for “peaceful coexistence” with the United States.

“We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” she said.

Russia: ‘no illusions’

“We are under no illusions about the American President-elect,” Moscow’s foreign ministry said, adding that it will “work with” a new US administration and prioritise achieving its “set goals” in Ukraine. It said its “conditions” on ending the conflict “are unchanged and are well known in Washington”.

Israel: ‘powerful recommitment’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump’s win as “history’s greatest comeback!”

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” Netanyahu said in a statement.

Ukraine: hopes ‘just peace’ closer

President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Donald Trump on his “impressive victory” and said he hoped his presidency would bring a “just peace in Ukraine closer.”

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” Zelensky said on social media.

NATO: ‘peace through strength’

NATO chief Mark Rutte congratulated Trump and said his return to power would help keep the alliance “strong”.

“His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO,” Rutte said in a statement.

EU: ‘strong transatlantic agenda’

“I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump,” European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. Let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them.”

Britain: ‘historic election victory’

Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the 78-year old on his “historic election victory”.

“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic.”

France: ‘respect and ambition’

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated “President Donald Trump”, saying he was ready to work together “with respect and ambition” like “we managed to do for four years.”

In a post on X, Macron said that the relationship with Trump would “take account of your convictions, and mine,” adding: “For more peace and prosperity.”

Germany: ‘better off together’

Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Trump “we’re better off together.”

“Both sides benefit from the transatlantic partnership,” Scholz said in a statement to media. “The EU and the USA are two similarly large economic areas, linked by the closest economic relations in the world.”

Japan:’new heights’

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters he hopes “to work closely with Mr Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights.”

South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country will take over the G20 presidency next year — ahead of the US in 2026 — told Trump in a message that he looked forward to “continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all domains of our cooperation.”

Saudi Arabia: ‘close relations’

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and his son, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables to Trump with King Salman hailing “close relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which everyone seeks to strengthen and develop in all fields,” the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Qatar: ‘security and stability’

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose Gulf monarchy is a key mediator in the Gaza conflict and hosts a largest US military base in the Middle East, said he looked forward to “working together again in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally.”

Turkey: ‘my friend’ Trump

Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated “my friend Donald Trump.”

“I hope Turkey-US relations will strengthen, that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, will come to an end,” Erdogan said in a statement.

Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu said Trump’s victory reflected the trust and confidence Americans had placed in his leadership.

“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace and address global challenges that affect our citizens,” a statement from his office said.

Egypt: ‘reaching peace’

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he hoped Trump’s return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East.

“I wish him all the success and I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States,” Sisi said in a statement.

India: ‘heartiest congratulations’

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a “historic election victory” offering his “heartiest congratulations” to Trump, describing him as “my friend.”

“As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration,” he said in a statement.

South Korea: alliance to shine brighter’

President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Trump adding that “under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you.”

Taiwan: ‘sincere congratulations’

President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence US-Taiwan relations would continue to “serve as a cornerstone for regional stability.”

“Sincere congratulations to President-elect Trump on your victory,” Lai posted on X.

Italy: ‘sincere congratulations’

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her “sincere congratulations.”

“Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance,” she said.

Hungary: ‘greatest comeback’

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump’s closest ally in Europe, called the result “perhaps the greatest comeback in Western political history.”

“They threatened him with jail, have taken away his assets, tried to murder him, the entire media world in the US turned against him, and yet he won,” he wrote on Facebook.