World leaders have been quick to send their congratulations to Donald Trump following his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with messages coming from both allies and some nations with complex relationships with the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had a strained relationship with President Joe Biden, was one of the first to congratulate Trump, describing his win as “history’s greatest comeback.” Netanyahu emphasized that Trump’s return to the White House represents a new chapter for both America and its alliance with Israel. He highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Israel partnership, which Trump had strongly supported during his first term.
On the European front, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed optimism about future collaboration, stating that he looked forward to working with Trump in the years ahead. Starmer underscored the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the U.S., predicting that it would continue to thrive in areas like economic growth, security, and technological innovation.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a longstanding ally of Trump, also congratulated him, calling his win “a much-needed victory for the world” and referring to it as “the biggest comeback in U.S. political history.” Orban had endorsed Trump’s re-election bid even before the 2024 election campaign began and had been a vocal supporter since the 2016 election.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his congratulations as well, stating his eagerness to continue working with Trump as they did during his first presidency. Macron highlighted their shared goals for peace and prosperity, signaling a willingness to maintain a strong transatlantic partnership despite potential disagreements on certain policies. Similarly, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while congratulating Trump, emphasized the longstanding partnership between Germany and the U.S., particularly in promoting freedom and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, although facing criticism from Trump in the past over NATO funding issues, also congratulated the former president. He reaffirmed that Trump’s leadership would be key in maintaining NATO’s strength and advancing peace through strength within the alliance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has had a fraught relationship with Trump due to his previous comments on Ukraine, nonetheless congratulated him as well. Zelensky expressed hope that Trump’s “peace through strength” approach would help bring about a just peace in Ukraine, although he had concerns about Trump’s past remarks on potentially reducing U.S. military support for the country.
Other leaders who sent messages of congratulations included Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who all emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between their countries and the U.S.
While many of Trump’s allies and global partners expressed hope for continued cooperation, not all reactions were as positive. Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, remained cautious, stating that they would await concrete actions from Trump before passing judgment. Despite the friendly tone of his congratulations, Peskov noted that Russia viewed the U.S. as an “unfriendly country,” and emphasized that Russia would assess Trump’s policies based on his actual conduct rather than diplomatic niceties.
On the other side of the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump, noting their shared commitment to strengthening the India-U.S. relationship and working together for global peace, stability, and prosperity. Similarly, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan referred to Trump as a “friend” and expressed his belief that the new era under Trump would usher in more efforts to create a fairer world.
From Latin America, Argentine President Javier Milei also congratulated Trump, expressing his confidence that the U.S. would continue to be a global leader under Trump’s administration. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced support for strengthening cooperation between Australia and the U.S., particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where the U.S. has played a major role in security and stability.
Meanwhile, other countries have remained more neutral in their responses. The Chinese government, for instance, issued a statement respecting the results of the U.S. election but refrained from direct commentary on Trump’s victory. Similarly, the Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Trump, emphasizing American values and their significance in the global landscape.
North Korea, which had previously been a key point of interaction between Trump and world leaders, has not issued an official statement, although analysts suggest that Kim Jong Un may be keenly watching the new administration’s stance on the Korean Peninsula, especially after Trump’s past engagement with Pyongyang.
while many world leaders expressed their congratulations, the true test of Trump’s second term will be how his administration navigates complex global issues ranging from military alliances to economic partnerships and diplomatic relations. The coming months will reveal whether Trump’s foreign policy stance evolves in response to global challenges or whether he continues to advocate for an “America First” agenda that prioritizes U.S. interests over international cooperation.
