World leaders are starting to pay homage to Donald J. Trump as U.S. President-elect following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday. As of the time of publication, the Democratic nominee has not officially conceded—but President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, and others have already recognized the inevitable.
UKRAINE.
Zelensky, likely fearing the unconditional, open-ended support of military and state apparatus by U.S. taxpayers may end under a Trump-Vance administration, was particularly effusive, saying, “Congratulations to [Donald Trump] on his impressive election victory!”
“I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September… I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” he continued, adding, “We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership” and pleading that Ukraine “rel[ies] on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”
ISRAEL.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, embroiled in a multi-sided war with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran, penned a note to Trump “in true friendship,” congratulating him on “history’s greatest comeback!”
“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,” he continued, adding: “This is a huge victory!”
BRITAIN.
Britain’s relatively new Labour government has also moved quickly to congratulate Trump, having previously earned his ire by sending staffers to campaign for Vice President Harris.
“Congratulations, President-elect Trump, on your historic election victory,” said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, claiming he “look[s] forward to working with you in the years ahead” with Britain and America continuing to be “the closest of allies.”
Starmer’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, also penned a groveling note of congratulations, saying, “The UK has no greater friend than the U.S., with the special relationship being cherished on both sides of the Atlantic for more than 80 years. We look forward to working with you and JD Vance in the years ahead.”
While Trump was in his first term and Labour was in opposition, Lammy regularly railed against Trump, opposing constructive diplomatic relations with his government and alleging he was “a racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser.”
Many speculate his Cabinet position will no longer be tenable once Trump is inaugurated, given this history and the importance of maintaining strong British-American relations.
Re: Daily Mail story today. Yes, if Trump comes to the UK I will be out protesting on the streets. He is a racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 26, 2017
EUROPEAN UNION.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, crippled by snap legislative elections in which both the populist right and far left earned more votes than his faction, says he is “Ready to work together as we did for four years…With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose Social Democratic Party increasingly faces electoral oblivion, offered muted congratulations to Trump and said that “Germany and the U.S. have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic” and “will continue to do so for the wellbeing of our citizens.”
However, the America First leader was greeted with great enthusiasm in Central Europe, where Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Slovak ally Prime Minister Robert Fico both hailed his reelection.
“The biggest comeback in US political history!” Orban cheered. “Congratulations to President [Donald Trump] on his enormous win. A much needed victory for the World!”
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, who hosted Trump for a state visit during his first term, was also enthusiastic, saying, “Congratulations, Mr. President [Donald Trump]! You made it happen!”
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