As Donald Trump secured a remarkable victory over Kamala Harris to become the 47th President of the United States, world leaders responded quickly with congratulations, expressing hopes for strengthened alliances, peace, and stability. From Europe to the Middle East, global figures offered varied reactions, underscoring both optimism and tempered expectations for future U.S. relations.
In the Middle East, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani expressed eagerness to work with Trump on “promoting security and stability” regionally and globally. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman echoed this sentiment, highlighting “close relations between the two friendly countries” and aiming for strengthened cooperation across fields.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered a personal message, congratulating “my friend Donald Trump.” He voiced hopes that Trump’s leadership might help address regional crises, specifically mentioning the Palestinian issue and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended his congratulations as well, noting his desire to work with Trump toward peace in the Middle East and uphold regional stability. In a statement, Sisi emphasized the importance of Egypt’s strategic partnership with the U.S.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning refrained from directly mentioning Trump but reiterated China’s commitment to “peaceful coexistence” with the U.S., expressing hopes for cooperation based on “mutual respect.” Russia took a more guarded approach, with its foreign ministry stating it has “no illusions” about the new U.S. administration, while also underscoring a willingness to cooperate on resolving the Ukraine conflict, subject to “well-known” conditions in Washington.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s win as “history’s greatest comeback,” expressing optimism about a “powerful recommitment” to the U.S.-Israel alliance. Similarly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that Trump’s approach of “peace through strength” might bring a “just peace” to Ukraine.
Leaders in NATO and the European Union also responded with positivity. NATO chief Mark Rutte underscored Trump’s leadership as vital for the alliance’s strength, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of the transatlantic partnership in a message on X, calling for a “strong transatlantic agenda” for both sides of the Atlantic.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Trump’s win as a “historic election victory,” expressing confidence that the UK-U.S. relationship would continue to thrive. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized a mutual respect approach, envisioning cooperation that accommodates both countries’ ambitions.
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the transatlantic partnership is beneficial to both Europe and the U.S., emphasizing their shared economic power. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed hopes of taking the Japan-U.S. alliance to “new heights” under Trump’s leadership.
Several other leaders, including those from South Korea, South Africa, Nigeria, and India, also congratulated Trump, expressing hopes for collaborative progress on global issues. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol remarked that the U.S.-South Korea alliance would “shine brighter” under Trump’s guidance, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Trump’s win as “historic,” calling him “my friend” and hoping for renewed collaboration.
In Europe, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also weighed in, with Orban hailing Trump’s victory as “perhaps the greatest comeback in Western political history.”
The range of global responses highlights both anticipation and caution as world leaders prepare to work with Trump’s administration on shared concerns, including economic cooperation, security, and conflict resolution.
