World Leaders Pledge to Work with Trump After US Presidential Election Victory

Wed Nov 06 2024
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WASHINGTON: Leaders from around the world extended their congratulations to Donald Trump on Wednesday after his stunning victory in the US presidential election over Kamala Harris, marking a return to the White House.

Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts. With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency, AP news agency reported.

Despite varied responses, world leaders expressed readiness to work with Trump on shared goals in areas like security, peace, and economic cooperation.

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning, without directly mentioning Trump, told a regular press briefing that Beijing hopes for “peaceful coexistence” with the US “We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” she stated.

Russia expressed a cautious but pragmatic stance. The Russian foreign ministry remarked, “We are under no illusions about the American President-elect,” while indicating a willingness to cooperate with the new administration to further Moscow’s objectives, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict. “Our conditions on ending the conflict are unchanged and are well known in Washington.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to social media to congratulate Trump on his historic victory for a second term. PM Shehbaz said he looks forward to bolstering the Pakistan-US relationship. “I look forward to working closely with the incoming Administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-US partnership,” PM Shehbaz posted on X.

From the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, posted her congratulations on X, emphasizing a “strong transatlantic agenda.” She highlighted the EU’s commitment to maintaining deep US-EU cooperation for the benefit of their 800 million citizens.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer applauded Trump’s historic election victory, noting that the UK-US relationship would continue to flourish, particularly in areas such as innovation and security. “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.”

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated “President Donald Trump” and expressed a commitment to “work together with respect and ambition”. 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.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that both countries benefit from the transatlantic partnership. “Both sides benefit from the transatlantic partnership,” Scholz said in a statement. “The EU and the US are two similarly large economic areas, linked by the closest economic relations in the world.”

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

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol echoed this sentiment, describing Trump’s leadership as vital to the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance.

Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Trump’s “historic victory” and emphasized a renewed partnership, referring to Trump as a “friend.”

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud congratulated Donald J. Trump on winning the US presidential election, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. King Salman in a cable wished Trump success in his endeavours, and the American people further progress and prosperity.

The Saudi King also praised the strong historical relationship between the two friendly nations, emphasising the shared desire to further enhance these bonds in all areas.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, also sent a cable of congratulations to Donald J. Trump on winning the US presidential election. He wished Trump success in his endeavours, and the friendly American people further progress and prosperity.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani welcomed Trump’s return as an opportunity to “promote security and stability” both regionally and globally.

In Africa, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s office released a statement saying Trump’s victory reflected “trust and confidence” in his leadership. “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace and address global challenges that affect our citizens,” his office said.

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

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

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his congratulations to his “friend Donald Trump,” expressing hope for stronger Turkey-US relations, particularly in resolving the Ukraine crisis and the ongoing Palestinian issue. “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.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded a “historic election victory” offering his “heartiest congratulations” to Donald 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.

Israeli 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.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump on his “impressive victory” and said he hoped his presidency would bring a “just peace in Ukraine closer.” “I appreciate President Donald Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” Zelensky said on social media.

NATO chief Mark Rutte congratulated Donald 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.

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

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence that US-Taiwan ties would continue to “serve as a cornerstone for regional stability”. “Sincere congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on your victory,” Lai posted on X.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her “sincere congratulations”. “Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance,” she said.

Hungarian 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.

Reactions across the globe reflected a sense of cautious optimism or support as leaders looked to recalibrate or renew their ties with the United States.

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