World leaders race to congratulate Trump on election win

As Europe woke to the news that former United States President Donald Trump was on track for a historic second term in the White House early Wednesday, congratulations rolled in from leaders and right-wing allies of the Republican around the Continent.
Here’s a roundup of the early reactions.
“I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump. The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. So let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“Congratulations President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise,” he added.
“The biggest comeback in US political history! Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on his enormous win,” long-time Trump ally Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote on social media. “A much needed victory for the World!”
“Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years,” French President Emmanuel Macron said. “With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
“On behalf of myself and the Italian Government, my most sincere congratulations to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump,” said Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
“Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship. It is a strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even further,” she added.
“I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on electoral success. The USA is an important strategic partner for Austria,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said. “We look forward to further expanding and strengthening our transatlantic relations together in order to successfully meet global challenges.”
“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on your victory. Together, we face the serious challenges ahead. Serbia is committed to working with the USA for stability, growth, and peace,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said.
“Congratulations, Mr. President @realDonaldTrump! You made it happen!” Polish President Andrzej Duda said, with a string of clapping emojis.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said Trump’s victory was a win for “patriotism, border control, tax cuts, Christian roots, freedom of speech, commitment to world peace.”
“CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP! CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!” Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders wrote in all-caps. “NEVER STOP, ALWAYS KEEP FIGHTING AND WIN ELECTIONS!”
“Congratulations to Donald Trump on winning the presidential election. Our shared goal is to ensure that the relations between our countries remain at the highest level, despite changes in administration, and that we continue to develop them for the benefit of our citizens,” Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said.
“He’s done it again. The most incredible political comeback of our lifetime,” British MP and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote.
In a statement on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled his “great meeting” with Trump in September and praised his “commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs.”
“We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” Zelenskyy added.
NATO Secretary-General — and so-called Trump whisperer — Mark Rutte wrote he “just congratulated @realDonaldTrump on his election as President of the United States.”
“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,” Rutte added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Trump.
“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” Netanyahu wrote on X.
“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” he added.
“Heartiest congratulations my friend Donald Trump 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,” said the Indian prime minister.
Meanwhile, China said it hoped for “peaceful coexistence” with the U.S. with Trump as president.
“We will continue to approach and handle China-U.S. relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a media briefing.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also congratulated Trump on his reelection after “a great struggle.”
“In this new period that will begin with the elections of the American people, I hope that 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; I believe that more efforts will be made for a more just world,” he wrote.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris also issued a brief congratulatory statement and posted on X.
“I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election. Ireland and the United States have deep and historical bonds of people, and we will work to make these even stronger in the years ahead. The world faces many challenges and needs leadership to meet them.  With the US and Ireland’s shared commitment to democracy and international law, we can, and will, tackle these challenges.”
His words were echoed by his Foreign Minister Micheál Martin, who said his government “looks forward to working with him and his administration in a constructive manner, as we did during his previous administration.”
“I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his election as US President,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X, adding that Washington and Berlin “have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.”
“We will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens,” he said.
Nikol Pashinyan, prime minister of Armenia, congratulated Trump on his “impressive victory as the 47th President of the United States.” He added that he looked forward to working with him to build “strategic bilateral relations based on our shared values, priorities and interests.”
European Council President Charles Michel congratulated Trump, but noted: “The EU will pursue its course in line with the strategic agenda as a strong, united, competitive and sovereign partner while defending the rules-based multilateral system.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on X that Athens looks forward to “deepening the strategic partnership between our two countries.”
“Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on winning the election. I look forward to our cooperation for the good of the American and Polish nations,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. Tusk has repeatedly made comments perceived as critical of Trump without calling out the Republican by name.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda was another leader who touted the strategic partnership between his country and the U.S. in his congratulatory message.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also congratulated Trump on X, adding: “Under your new leadership we hope for peace and prosperity for all our citizens!Looking forward to a fruitful collaboration!” His words were echoed by President Klaus Iohannis.
“Congratulations on your election, Mr. President @realDonaldTrump. A strong [U.S.]-our strategic partner and friend of 33 years -is needed now more than ever to support [Georgia]’s Euro-Atlantic integration, bolster regional security and stability, and safeguard our freedom & independence,” Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili posted on X.
Argentinian President Javier Milei congratulated Trump saying: “Now, Make America Great Again. You know that You can count on Argentina to carry out your task. Success and blessings.”
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa used her congratulatory post to remind Trump that “Latvia spends over 3% on defence.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also posted his congratulations on X.
“Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election. The US is Norway’s most important partner and ally. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the new Trump administration,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
“Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his electoral victory in the United States. Europe is ready. To cooperate as we address unprecedented geopolitical challenges. To keep the transatlantic bond strong, rooted in our shared values of freedom, human rights, democracy & open markets,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.
“Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on winning the presidential election. The United States is an important ally for the Netherlands, both bilaterally and in international contexts such as NATO. I look forward to our close cooperation on the shared interests between the USA and the Netherlands,” Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said.
“An incredible comeback for @realDonaldTrump! Neither an assassination attempt, politically motivated lawsuits, nor a systematic smear campaign by the mainstream media could stop him. The American people have made clear who they want as their President. I am confident his victory will bring prosperity to the United States and peace to the world,” former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said.
“I truly look forward to working closely with you to further bolster the Japan-US Alliance & cooperate to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Japan’s new PM, Shigeru Ishiba, posted.
Elena Giordano contributed to this report.
This story is being updated.