World leaders congratulate Trump on election win

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Nov 2024 13:36

Congratulations pour in after Donald Trump declared himself victor in the US presidential election.

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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump points to the crowd at an election night watch party, Wednesday, November 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)

In the wake of Donald Trump’s self-declared victory in the US presidential election, several world leaders swiftly offered their congratulations, with many expressing hope for continued or strengthened cooperation with the United States under his renewed leadership.

Projection also showed Wednesday that the Republican former president has won the presidential race, securing more than the 270 electoral votes needed to defeat Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

With a win in Wisconsin, Trump has cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency, gaining an extra 7, and winning against Vice President Kamala Harris with a total of 277 to 224 electoral votes.

It is noteworthy that Harris' votes might still increase as the… pic.twitter.com/4K0MPCSl0J
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 6, 2024

Europe's reactions

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was the first European Union leader to comment. Posting on social media, he celebrated with "On the way to a beautiful victory," accompanied by Hungarian and US flag emojis.

Although he did not mention Trump by name, his post on Facebook came just as Trump was projected to have won key battleground states.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron extended his congratulations to “President Donald Trump,” stating his readiness to work with him “with respect and ambition” as in prior years. Macron emphasized that their partnership would reflect both leaders' convictions in the pursuit of “peace and prosperity.”

"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."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated the 78-year-old on his "historic election victory," expressing confidence that "the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz similarly congratulated Trump on his victory, pledging that Germany would continue its transatlantic partnership to promote “prosperity and freedom.”

Spain's left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also extended his congratulations to Trump and promised to work "on a strong transatlantic partnership."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended Trump’s “impressive victory,” expressing hope that the Republican candidate's “peace through strength” approach could bring a “just peace” closer to Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte lauded Trump’s return to leadership as “key to keeping our Alliance strong,” expressing his eagerness to work together in advancing peace and security.

Responses in Asia

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed hope for “peaceful coexistence” with the US, as emerging results showed Trump seemed closer to the White House.

"We respect the choice of the American people."

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the importance of the Washington-Seoul alliance, stating that Trump’s leadership would fortify this longstanding relationship.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated Trump and expressed a wish to take the countries' alliance "to new heights."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Trump’s “historic election victory,” saying he looked forward to renewing bilateral collaboration.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Trump and expressed hopes that the US-Turkey relationship would help address regional crises and wars, specifically mentioning the Palestinian issue and the Ukraine war.

Middle Eastern leaders weigh in

Saudi Arabia's King Salman and his son, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, congratulated Trump, state media reported.

The two leaders 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’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani also extended his congratulations, adding that he looked forward to "working together again... in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally."

On his part, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated Trump, voicing hope that his return to the White House would support peace in the Middle East and bolster Egypt-US strategic ties.

Elsewhere, King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized his desire to collaborate with Trump in advancing regional peace and stability, reinforcing "Jordan's longstanding partnership with the United States."