World pledges to work with Trump
AFP, Paris
World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump yesterday as he triumphed in a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris.
European leaders in particular were quick to extend their best wishes and offers of cooperation, in contrast to a much cooler reaction when Trump won for the first time in 2016.
There were some exceptions, such as Russia, where the foreign ministry frostily commented on the outcome but let it be known that no congratulations would be forthcoming from President Vladimir Putin.
Here are yesterday’s reactions, with many being expressed even before the 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”.
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.
Israel: ‘powerful recommitment’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump’s win as “history’s greatest comeback” as well as a “new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”
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.
Nto: ‘peace through strength’
Nato chief Mark Rutte said Trump’s 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.”
United Nations: ‘work constructively’
The UN is “ready to work constructively with the incoming administration to address the dramatic challenges our world is facing,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres 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.
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.”