SEOUL/WASHINGTON — World leaders offered congratulations to Donald Trump as he secured victory early Wednesday in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Trump defeated his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, marking a historical political comeback for the former Republican president following four years out of office. Early Wednesday, many world leaders took to the social media website X to congratulate Trump, whose unpredictable “America First” foreign policy approach complicated relations with many U.S. allies and foes alike during his first term in office. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first U.S. allies to send a message of support, praising Trump’s “historic return,” which he said offers a “powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.” Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in a congratulatory cable, said his government will “remain steadfast” in its commitment to peace and is confident that the United States will support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza ceasefire talks and hostage release deal, extended its congratulations to Trump. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, said he looks forward to working with the U.S. to promote security and stability both in the region and globally. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a post on X, congratulated his “friend” Trump for winning the U.S. presidential election after “a great battle.” He added that he hoped regional and global crises, especially the wars in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, “will come to an end.” Watch related video by Dorian Jones: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has called for more U.S. and Western support to fight off Russia’s invasion, spoke positively of what he said was Trump’s commitment to ‘peace through strength’ in world affairs. “This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” said Zelenskyy. The head of NATO — the Western military alliance that Trump has long criticized for not doing enough to take care of Europe’s defense — made similar comments in his congratulatory message for Trump. “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,” said Mark Rutte, the NATO secretary general. French President Emmanuel Macron also quickly offered congratulations, saying he is “ready to work together as we did for four years … with your conviction and mine.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government stands “shoulder to shoulder” in defense of shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. “From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the U.K.-U.S. special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” Starmer said. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Commission, said she “warmly congratulate[s]” Trump and praised the “true partnership” between the European Union and the United States. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a televised statement on Wednesday that while “many things will certainly be different under a government led by Donald Trump,” Germany remains a reliable transatlantic partner of the United States. During Trump’s first term, friction erupted between the EU and the U.S., partly over Trump’s imposition of tariffs on European exports. Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, a conservative Trump ally, called Trump’s victory the “biggest comeback in U.S. political history” and said it was a “much needed victory” for the world. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala congratulated Trump and said on X that a shared goal between the Czech Republic and the U.S. is to ensure that relations “remain at the highest level” despite changes in administration. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Trump on his election victory. “The friendship between Canada and the U.S. is the envy of the world. I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our nations,” he said in a post on X. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office last month, told reporters that she will wait to formally recognize a winner in the U.S. presidential election until certain U.S. states finish counting their votes. “There’s no reason to worry,” she said, adding she’s convinced that “there will be good relations with the United States.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has not commented on the U.S. election results. But on X, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev relished the apparent defeat of Harris, saying “Kamala is finished … let her keep cackling infectiously.” “The objectives of the Special Military Operation remain unchanged and will be achieved,” Medvedev continued. Asian leaders also began sending congratulatory messages. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered the “heartiest congratulations” to Trump, whom he called his friend. “As you build on your successes of the previous term, I look forward to reviewing our collaboration to further strengthen” the U.S.-India relationship, Modi said. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he is looking forward to working closely with Trump. “Under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter,” he added. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued “heartfelt congratulations” to Trump, saying he hoped to “further bolster the Japan-U.S. Alliance & cooperate to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.” In a statement, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hope that the “unshakeable alliance” between Washington and Manila, “will be a force of good that will blaze a path of prosperity and amity, in the region, and in both sides of the Pacific.” A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry said Beijing “will continue to handle China-U.S. relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.” Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, in a post on X, offered his “sincere congratulations to President-elect Trump” and said he is confident that the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan, built on shared values and interests, will continue to serve as a cornerstone for regional stability. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a statement that he is hopeful that the “unshakeable alliance” between the two nations, tested in war and peace, “will be a force for good that will blaze a path of prosperity and amity in the region and on both sides of the Pacific.” In Kabul, Afghanistan’s hard-line Taliban leaders, reacting to Trump’s election victory, said they expect a “balanced” U.S. foreign policy and “tangible progress” in relations with the United States under the future Trump administration. The Taliban foreign ministry said in a statement that it hopes Afghanistan and the U.S. “will be able to open a new chapter in their bilateral relations.” The Taliban recalled that their Doha agreement with the previous Trump administration in February 2020 ended Afghanistan’s “20-year occupation.” In Latin America, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva congratulated Trump. In a post on X, the leftist leader stated that democracy is the people’s voice and should always be respected, adding that the world needs “dialogue and joint work.” Argentina’s President Javier Milei also congratulated Trump on his “formidable” electoral victory. “You know that you can count on Argentina to carry out your task,” Milei said in a post on X. In Africa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed congratulated Trump on his “election victory and comeback” and said he looks forward to working together to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, in a post on X. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi also congratulated Trump, hoping his return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Trump on his U.S. election win in a post on X, saying he looks forward to continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between their two nations. Several international organizations commended U.S. democracy. In a statement, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, congratulated President-elect Trump and reaffirmed his belief that cooperation between the United States and the United Nations is an essential pillar of international relations. Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said he expects to work “cooperatively” with the next Trump administration, adding that the new U.S. administration means “adjustments and different approaches” in dealing with Iran. Meanwhile, Iran downplayed the importance of the U.S. elections. A government spokesperson said the U.S. elections “are not really our business” and “will not impact people’s livelihoods.”
