World leaders quickly extended their congratulations to Donald Trump on Wednesday after his surprising victory in the U.S. presidential election against Kamala Harris. While European leaders, in particular, rushed to offer their support and pledge cooperation, reactions from other nations varied, with some more reserved in their responses.
Unlike the more cautious reactions when Trump won in 2016, leaders from across the globe were eager to recognize his triumph, offering both congratulations and hopes for continued collaboration. However, some nations, such as Russia, maintained a more measured tone.
China, while not directly mentioning Trump, expressed its hopes for a positive bilateral relationship. “We will continue to handle China-US relations based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
In contrast, Russia’s foreign ministry issued a brief statement indicating it had “no illusions” about the incoming president. Moscow said it would work with the new U.S. administration but emphasized that its stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remained unchanged.
Also read: Supreme Court orders liquidation of Jet Airways’ grounded assets, rejects resolution plan
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump’s victory as “history’s greatest comeback” and reaffirmed the strong ties between the U.S. and Israel. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that Trump’s leadership would bring “just peace” closer to resolution in Ukraine.
NATO’s Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, praised Trump’s return to power, emphasizing the importance of his leadership in strengthening the alliance. Similarly, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Trump and looked forward to advancing a strong transatlantic agenda.
Other international leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, offered their congratulations, underscoring the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership and the shared economic interests between their nations and the United States.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their desire to continue strengthening ties with the U.S., while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Trump as “my friend” and hoped for stronger relations.
Also read: Will Trump’s praise for Elon Musk pave way for Starlink entry to India?
Leaders from nations like Brazil, South Korea, India, and Egypt also sent their well-wishes, emphasizing hopes for continued collaboration in addressing global challenges, regional stability, and economic growth.
While the global reactions were generally supportive, the election victory marked a dramatic moment in U.S. political history, setting the stage for Trump’s second term and his impact on international relations moving forward.
