World wakes up to change in US

Leaders pledge to work with incoming American administration

PARIS:

World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump on Wednesday 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.

Without directly mentioning Trump, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China hoped 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.

"We are under no illusions about the American president-elect," Moscow's foreign ministry said, adding that it would "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".

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 Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelensky said on social media.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump's win "history's greatest comeback" and a "new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America".

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Trump's return to power would help keep the alliance "strong", adding "I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO".

"We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens," European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. "Let's work together on a strong trans-Atlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them."

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.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that "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 said he was ready to work "with respect and ambition" with Trump, like "we managed to do for four years".

He said their relationship would "take account of your convictions, and mine... For more peace and prosperity."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Trump "we're better off together".

"Both sides benefit from the trans-Atlantic partnership," he added. "The EU and the USA are two similarly large economic areas, linked by the closest economic relations in the world."

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered congratulations while affirming that "Italy and the United States are 'sister' nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance."

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated "my friend Donald Trump", adding that "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."

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 posted.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he hoped "to work closely with Mr Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a "historic election victory" for "my friend" Trump.

"As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration," he said.

President Yoon Suk Yeol said that "under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-US alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you."

President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence US-Taiwan relations would continue to "serve as a cornerstone for regional stability".