Following the news of Donald Trump’s reelection, leaders around the world expressed a mix of congratulations, concerns and hope for the next four years. Reactions ranged from outrage to optimism, with many reaffirming their commitment to international relations. Here is a list of statements from key global leaders in response to the announcement that Trump will return to office, which represent a spectrum of emotions, from excitement and hope to apprehension and uncertainty about the future state of global affairs and foreign policy.
European Commission
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Trump in a post on X, expressing her commitment to “work together on a strong transatlantic agenda.” In another post on X, she said, “Excellent phone call with @realDonaldTrump today to congratulate him on his election victory. Looking forward to strengthening EU-US ties and working jointly to address geopolitical challenges. We discussed defence and Ukraine, trade and energy. Together, we can foster prosperity and stability on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Afghanistan
Following the election, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, made a statement on X expressing his hope for a “pragmatic approach to ensure tangible advancement in bilateral relations, allowing both nations to open a new chapter of relations grounded in mutual engagement.”
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Trump in a post on X, expressing his commitment to maintaining strong relations between the United States and Canada. Trudeau added, “President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our nations.”
China
In an official statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, “We respect the choice of the American people and congratulate Mr. Trump on his election as president.”
According to Chinese media, President Xi Jinping congratulated Trump on his victory: “He expressed the hope that the two sides will uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Denmark
Prime Minister Mette Frederikson issued a statement congratulating Trump on his victory, calling the United States the country’s closest ally. “I look forward to strengthening the defense coorporation [sic] between the United States and Denmark together with President-elect Trump. In a world in which Russia behaves more aggressively, increasingly supported by Iran and North Korea, there is a need for reinforcing global alliances,” he wrote, adding that “our common security is at stake.”
France
President Emmanuel Macron posted on X congratulating Trump on his victory, writing that he is “ready to work together as we did for four years.” Following the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, he made another post on X, adding, “Donald Trump was elected by Americans to defend the interests of Americans. The question we, as Europeans, must ask ourselves is, are we ready to defend the interests of Europeans?”
Germany
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump in an initial post on X, outlining his plans to maintain a strong U.S.-Germany partnership to ensure “prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.” In another post, he added that he believes the two countries are “better off together,” and that they can “achieve much more working together than against each other.”
India
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump, writing, “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.” The post outlines his hopes for the two nations to work together to “further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors.”
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara addressed President-Elect Trump and Melania Trump in a post on X, congratulating them on “history’s greatest comeback.” He referred to Trump’s reelection as a “new beginning for America,” and a “powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”
Japan
Prime Minister Shigeru Isiba issued a statement congratulating Trump and acknowledging the “democratic choice made by the people of the United States of America.” He added, “Going forward, I intend to cooperate closely with Mr. Trump as president-elect and work to raise the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.S. relations to even greater heights. From now, I aim to be in contact with him as soon as possible.”
Palestine
President Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Trump through the Wafa News Agency, saying, “We will remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, and we are confident that the United States, under your leadership, will support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
Russia
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement following the election: “We have no illusions about the president elect, who is well known in Russia, or the new Congress, where Republicans have reportedly won control. The US ruling political elite adheres to anti-Russia principles and the policy of ‘containing Moscow.’ This line does not depend on changes in America’s domestic political barometer, no matter if it is Trump and his supporters’ ‘America above all’ or the Democrats’ focus on a ‘rules-based world order.’” The statement continues, “Russia will interact with the new administration when it comes to the White House, firmly upholding Russia’s national interests and working to achieve all the goals of the special military operation.”
Earlier this year, Trump promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine if reelected, calling the conflict “a war that’s dying to be settled” during his presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Commenting on U.S.- Russia relations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in early October, “It is practically impossible to worsen things further; relations are at their historical lowest point. And what happens next will depend on the next US leadership.”
On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin addressed an international forum in Sochi, congratulating Trump on his victory and praising the former president for his bravery following the assassination attempt in July. When asked what he expects from the Trump administration, he said, “I don’t know what will happen now, I have no idea.”
Scotland
First Minister John Swinney released a statement congratulating Trump and wishing him “every success,” despite having previously backed Vice President Harris. “People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris,” he told journalists a week before the U.S. election, adding that Trump is “opposed to Scottish independence.”
Swinney received backlash from Patrick Harvie, member of Scottish parliament, for offering his congratulations to “the convicted felon Donald Trump.” Harvie questioned Swinney on what social and cultural relations the first minister thinks will flourish “during the presidency of a misogynist, a climate denier, a fraudster, a conspiracy monger, a racist, a far-right politician who tried to overturn an election result, both covertly, and by inciting violence.”
Singapore
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam posted on Instagram following the announcement, emphasizing a need for American unity: “[Trump] will lead a nation in need of healing, and a people who must rediscover common purpose, despite their divisions,” he wrote. “No one can expect this to be achieved easily or quickly. It is an immense task, for government and every level of society. But President Trump pledged in his victory speech to work every day and with every breath for every citizen, their families, and their future.” He added that the country looks forward to “working actively with President Trump and his team to achieve our mutual interests in an interdependent world.”
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on his “impressive election victory” in a post on X. He wrote, “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global 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. We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Trump in a post on X, writing, “Congratulations President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.” After speaking with the president-elect, he shared another post on X, adding that, “From defence and security to growth and prosperity, the relationship between the UK and US is incredibly strong and will continue to thrive for many years to come.”
Despite these statements, the relations between Starmer and Trump have been far from cordial in recent months. In October 2024, Trump’s campaign team filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission and accused the Labour Party of “blatant foreign interference” in the U.S. presidential election. According to Reuters, many political activists from the UK have traveled to the U.S. to campaign for elections in the past.
David Lammy, secretary of foreign affairs for the Labour Party, also congratulated Trump in a post on X. Lammy previously expressed his negative sentiments on Trump in an article in TIME magazine, referring to him as a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath.”