Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were among the first world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.
Electing a new president isn’t just a big deal for the United States – a new leader in the White House can change the country’s foreign policy and standing vis-a-vis friends and foes on the international stage. international.
Here’s how some world leaders have responded so far.
In his statement, Mr Netanyahu – who has had a difficult relationship with President Joe Biden – spoke of “the greatest comeback in history”, adding that Mr Trump’s return to power brings to “a new beginning for America, a strong commitment to the great alliance between Israel and America”. “.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I look forward to working with Trump in the years to come.”
He added: “From growth and security to innovation and technology, I know that the special UK-US relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for many years to come.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – a close ally of Trump – said his election was “a much-needed victory for the world”.
“The biggest comeback in American political history!” he wrote in a post on X.
Orban has publicly supported Mr. Trump’s re-election bid, after becoming the first and only EU leader to back him in 2016.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Trump’s victory was “the failure of liberal and progressive ideas”. He added that the election was also confirmation to “never trust the media and polls”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was willing to cooperate with Trump as before, “with respect and ambition. For greater peace and prosperity.”
Mr. Macron added that he held talks with German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz about cooperation in protecting European interests and values while working with the United States.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said “Germany and the United States have for a long time worked together successfully to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Trump’s leadership “will once again be key to keeping our alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to promote peace through strength through NATO”.
Donald Trump has criticized the NATO alliance, accusing the country’s European allies of not paying enough for security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X: “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can bring peace peace in Ukraine is closer in reality.”
Trump promised to push Zelensky to reach a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, one that could involve the loss of territory. Ukraine fears he will cut US military and financial support.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy and the US “are linked by an unshakable alliance, shared values and historic friendship. It is a strategic relationship that I am sure we now will be further strengthened.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledges to cooperate with Trump “on our terms” strategic bilateral relationship and of a strong transatlantic partnership”.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Ireland “will work to deepen and strengthen the historic and unbreakable bonds between our people and our countries in the years to come”.
In a message sent to Trump, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU and the US are “more than just allies”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that the two countries will “work together to create more opportunity, prosperity and security for both of our countries.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has expressed support for Harris, wished Trump “good luck and success”, adding that “the world needs dialogue and joint work for peace, more development and prosperity”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he “did not know about the president’s plans to congratulate Mr. Trump on his election” because the US is an “unfriendly country.”
He added that Russia will evaluate Trump’s actions: “We will draw conclusions based on specific steps and specific words.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that Moscow would continue to focus on achieving the goals of what it called special military operations in Ukraine.
Iranian government spokesman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Iranians’ livelihoods would not be affected by the US election, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Arab and Western officials told Reuters news agency that Trump could reimpose his “maximum pressure policy” through enhanced sanctions on Iran’s oil industry and empowering for Israel to attack its nuclear sites.
In his message on X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Trump as a friend: “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our cooperation to strengthen further India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.
“Together, let us work for the betterment of our people and promote global peace, stability and prosperity.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also called Trump a friend – the two had a healthy relationship during Trump’s first term.
“I hope that Türkiye-US relations will strengthen and that regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, will end,” he said. .
Argentine President Javier Milei congratulated Trump on his “formidable election victory. Now, Make America Great Again. You know you can count on Argentina to do its job.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Alaban said the US “has long played a leading role in the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will strive to strengthen cooperation between our two countries in area”.
During a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said “the US presidential election is their domestic issue. We respect the choice of the American people”.
Trump has threatened to impose major trade tariffs on Chinese goods entering the US, and he could push Europe to decouple more from the Chinese economy.
Speaking to reporters, Taiwan National Security Bureau Director General Tsai Ming-yen said: “Regarding cross-Taiwan Strait relations, we believe the US will continue its current approach of restraint China and friendly with Taiwan.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said that with Trump’s election, “the American people have won and I congratulate them for their victory in an exercise that shows the world the strength of American values.”
There has been no official statement from North Korea, but analysts believe that Kim Jong Un is interested in the US election results, because this could reopen the possibility of negotiations.
Mr. Kim held three historic meetings with Mr. Trump when he was president. On the eve of the first summit, he announced that Pyongyang would suspend missile and nuclear tests.
Since those talks failed, the reclusive nation has continued to expand its nuclear weapons program in defiance of United Nations sanctions.
Leaders across the African continent also congratulated Donald Trump on his victory. “I look forward to continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two countries,” said South African President Cyril Rhamaphosa.
During his first term, Trump did not visit Africa, leading him to be criticized for his limited engagement with the continent.
