WASHINGTON: World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump on Wednesday as he triumphed in a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris.

But the comeback victory will likely test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad.

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.

Donning “Make Europe Great Again” caps, European far-right lawmakers celebrated Donald Trump’s US election victory on Wednesday, expressing hope that the “historic moment” will boost their political cause.

UK

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on his “historic election victory”, adding that UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper”.

“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. 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 for years to come,” he said.

Meanwhile, British finance minister Rachel Reeves said she would make “strong representations” over the importance of free trade to the incoming administration of President-elect Trump, who has proposed imposing tariffs on all US imports.

Russia

The Kremlin said it would judge Donald Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine conflict, on his “actions” in office, as many in the West fear his second term could spell disaster for Kyiv.

Russia said it would wait to see what Trump would be like when he takes office in January, expressing some caution with relations between Moscow and Washington at an all-time low since the Cold War.

“We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words,” President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He added he was “not aware” of any plans for Putin to congratulate Trump, since the United States was an “unfriendly country” that was “at war” with Russia.

China

“We respect the choice of the American people, and express our congratulations to Mr Trump on his election as president,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement online.

Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning had said earlier that China hoped for “peaceful coexistence” with the United States as Trump neared his decisive victory over Kamala Harris.

“We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” she told a press briefing.

Saudi Arabia

King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, congratulated Trump on his election victory, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The two leaders sent cables to Trump, who cultivated warm Saudi ties during his first administration. King Salman hailed “close relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which everyone seeks to strengthen and develop in all fields”, SPA said.

Later, SPA reported the crown prince called to congratulate Trump on his win and “expressed the kingdom’s aspiration to strengthen the historical and strategic relations between the two countries, wishing the friendly American people progress and prosperity under His Excellency’s leadership”.

Canada

Canada’s leaders sought to reassure their nation that it would not be negatively affected by Trump’s return to the White House.

“We’ve been preparing for this,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. “We’re going to make sure that this extraordinary friendship and alliance between Canada and the United States continues to be a real benefit to Canadians, but also to people around the world.”

Canadian officials congratulated Trump on his “decisive” and “historic victory” in Tuesday’s election, but concerns have been voiced on how the Republican’s policies on climate, trade, security and immigration might impact Canada.

Israel and Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Donald Trump on Wednesday after his stunning victory and discussed the “Iranian threat” to Israel’s security, his office said.

“The conversation was warm and cordial. The prime minister congratulated Trump on his election victory, and the two agreed to work together for Israel’s security. The two also discussed the Iranian threat,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Hamas said that while the election was a matter for the American people, but called for an end to the “blind support” for Israel from the US.

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Donald Trump on a “historic election victory”, adding that he was looking forward to working with the Republican leader.

“Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory,” Modi wrote on social media platform X.

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

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2024