Republican Donald Trump has won the US presidential election in a stunning comeback, with projections showing him comfortably clearing the 270 electoral vote threshold required to win the White House.
Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, before the latest results came in, Trump pledged to bring a “golden age” to the United States, praising what he called “the greatest political movement of all time”.
His Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, called him to concede defeat on Wednesday before delivering remarks at Howard University in Washington, DC.
World leaders rushed to congratulate Trump as votes were still being counted after early projected wins in key battleground states. Here are some reactions:
Israel
“Congratulations 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. This is a huge victory! In true friendship,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on social media platform X.
Israel Katz, who was named defence minister on Tuesday after Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant, said, “Together, we’ll strengthen the US-Israel alliance, bring back the hostages, and stand firm to defeat the axis of evil led by Iran”.
Far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government also celebrated. “Yesssss, God bless Trump,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “God bless Israel, God bless America.”
Qatar
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said he looked forward to working with Trump again “in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally”.
Egypt
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said he hoped Trump’s return to the White House could help bring peace to the Middle East.
“I wish him all the success … and I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and their friendly peoples,” el-Sisi said on X.
Iran
The livelihoods of Iranians will not be affected by the US election, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani told reporters after a cabinet meeting in the capital, Tehran.
“The US elections are not really our business. Our policies are steady and don’t change based on individuals. We made the necessary predictions before, and there will not be change in people’s livelihoods,” she said.
Hamas
“Our position on the new US administration depends on its positions and practical behaviour towards our Palestinian people, their legitimate rights and their just cause,” the Palestinian group said in a statement.
The new president must “listen to the voices of the American community itself rejecting the aggression on Gaza”, it said in a statement, adding that the new US administration “must realise that our people are continuing to confront the occupation and will not accept a path that diminishes their rights”.
Palestinian Authority
“We are confident that the United States will support, under your leadership, the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,” President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement, reaffirming the Palestinian commitment to “the pursuit of freedom, self-determination and statehood, in accordance with international law.”
Afghanistan
The Taliban government said it hopes for a “new chapter” in relations with the US following Trump’s victory.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said on X that they hope the Trump administration “will take realistic steps toward concrete progress in relations between the two countries, and both nations will be able to open a new chapter of relations.”
China
“Our policy towards the US is consistent,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a news briefing.
“We will continue to view and handle China-US relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” she added.
Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence that US-Taiwan relations would continue to “serve as a cornerstone for regional stability” as she congratulated Trump on social media.
Ukraine
“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,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X.
“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.”
Russia
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he was unaware of any plans by President Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump since the US is an “unfriendly country”.
“We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words,” Peskov said.
“Trump has one useful quality for us: as a businessman to the core, he mortally dislikes spending money on various hangers-on and stupid hanger-on allies, on bad charity projects and on voracious international organisations,” former President Dmitry Medvedev posted on the Telegram messaging app.
“We are under no illusions about the American president-elect,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that it will “work with” a new US administration and prioritise achieving its “set goals” in Ukraine.
It said its “conditions” for ending the conflict “are unchanged and are well known in Washington”.
United Kingdom
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “Congratulations, President-elect Trump, on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”
NATO
Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Trump’s “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”.
European Union
“The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “So let’s work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them.”
European Council President Charles Michel said the 27-nation bloc and the US “have an enduring alliance and a historic bond. As allies and friends, the EU looks forward to continuing our constructive cooperation”.
United Nations
“I congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump, and I reaffirm my belief that the cooperation between the United States and the United Nations is an essential pillar of international relations,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
“The United Nations stands ready to work constructively with the incoming administration to address the dramatic challenges our world is facing,” he added.
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the friendship between Canada and the US as “the envy of the world”.
“I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our nations,” he posted on X.
Mexico
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Trump’s election victory was “no cause for concern” for Mexico but that she would await the official results before congratulating her.
“We are a free, independent, sovereign country and there will be good relations with the United States. I am convinced of this,” she told a news conference. “For all Mexicans, there is no cause for concern, for our countrymen and women [in the US], for their relatives who are here, for Mexican businesswomen and businessmen – there is no cause for concern.”
Argentina
“Congratulations on your formidable electoral victory,” President Javier Milei said on X. “Now, Make America Great Again. You know that You can count on Argentina to carry out your task.”
Venezuela
Venezuela is ready to establish “good relations” with Washington upon Trump’s return to the White House, according to a statement released by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil.
Caracas broke off diplomatic relations with the US during Trump’s first term.
Gil congratulated Trump and called for the US and Venezuela to recognise each country’s “sovereignty and self-determination”. Venezuelans “aspire to follow a path of peace and social justice, where there is no room for war, exclusion, or discrimination, and where cooperation and mutual respect between nations are the standard of international relations,” he added.
Brazil
“Democracy is the voice of the people, and it must always be respected. The world needs dialogue and joint work to have more peace, development and prosperity. I wish the new government luck and success,” President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said.
France
President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “Congratulations, President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orban called it “a much-needed victory for the world”, and “the biggest comeback in US political history!” in a post on X.
Supporters of Kamala Harris react to the election results on Howard University’s campus in Washington, DC [Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo]
Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated his “friend” Trump after “a great battle”.
“I believe … more efforts will be given for a fairer world in this new era that began with the election by American people,” Erdogan said in a post on X, adding he hoped regional wars would come to an end.
Australia
“The election of the President of the United States is always an important moment for the world, for our region and for Australia,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “The United States has long played a leadership role in the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific. Australia will strive to strengthen the cooperation between our two nations in the region.”
South Korea
President Yoon Suk-yeol congratulated Donald Trump and posted on X that “under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you”, referring to South Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea.
Saudi Arabia
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Trump, with the monarch hailing “close relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which everyone seeks to strengthen and develop in all fields”, the official Saudi Press Agency said.
Jordan
King Abdullah II said he looked forward to working with Trump “again to bolster Jordan’s longstanding partnership with the United States, in service of regional and global peace and stability for all”.
Japan
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters he hopes “to work closely with Mr Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights”.
Spain
“We will work on our strategic bilateral relations and on a strong transatlantic partnership”, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Sanchez said on X.
Germany
Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged that Germany would work with Trump for “prosperity and freedom”.
“Germany and the USA have long been working together successfully to promote prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to do so for the benefit of our citizens,” he wrote on X.
Trump supporters celebrate in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, on November 6, 2024 [Brian Snyder/Reuters]
India
Congratulating Trump on a “historic election victory”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that “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”.
Pakistan
“Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on his historic victory for a second term! I look forward to working closely with the incoming Administration to further strengthen and broaden the Pakistan-U.S. partnership,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy and the US had an “unshakeable alliance”, calling it “a strategic bond, which I am certain we will now strengthen even further”.
South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he looked forward to “continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all domains of our cooperation”.
Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu said Trump’s victory reflected Americans’ trust and confidence in his leadership.
“Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace and address global challenges that affect our citizens,” a statement from his office said.
Ethiopia
“Congratulations to President Donald Trump on your election victory and comeback. I look forward to working together to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries during your term,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wrote on X.
Kenya
President William Ruto hailed Trump’s “bold and innovative leadership” and said Kenya was hoping to “work together to address global challenges, promote peace and security and foster inclusive economic growth for the benefit of our peoples”.
Rwanda
President Paul Kagame congratulated Trump on a “decisive” win, saying: “Your clear message has been that the United States should be a partner of choice that attracts by the force of its example, rather than by imposing its views and ways of life on others.”
The Netherlands
Prime Minister Dick Schoof: “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.”
Austria
Congratulating Trump, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said, “We look forward to further expanding and strengthening our transatlantic relations to successfully address global challenges together.”
Sweden
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson: “I congratulate Donald Trump on being elected the next president of the United States. I look forward to working together and continuing the excellent U.S.-Sweden relations as friends and allies.”
Norway
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called the US his country’s “most important ally and we work closely together in many areas. I look forward to continuing our cooperation with the US under Mr. Trump’s leadership.”
Denmark
“Congratulations to Donald Trump on the election. The United States is our most important ally. We must maintain the close cooperation between the United States and Denmark and continue to strengthen the transatlantic bond that has endured through generations,” said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Czech Republic
“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,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on X.
Romania
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu congratulated Trump, saying, “Under your new leadership, we hope for peace and prosperity for all our citizens! Looking forward to a fruitful collaboration!” on X.
El Salvador
“Congratulations to the President-Elect of the United States of America, @realDonaldTrump. May God bless and guide you,” President Nayib Bukele posted on X.
Cambodia
“This great victory is a true testament to the trust and confidence that the American people have in your leadership,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said in his message to Trump. “Under your wise leadership, I am confident that the indispensable US role in promoting stability, security and prosperity will be further strengthened.”
Panama
“I congratulate Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election and the people of the United States for strengthening democracy. We will continue to work together on migration, security and international trade,” President Jose Raul Mulino wrote on X.
The Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the American people “triumphed, and I congratulate them for their victory in an exercise which showed the world the strength of American values”.
“I have personally met President Trump as a young man, so I know that his robust leadership will result in a better future for all of us.”
Kazakhstan
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said he hopes to cooperate with Trump, especially “in the areas of security and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons”.
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for “continued regional cooperation” between the US and the five Central Asian countries, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
“Ensuring a stable peace in Afghanistan … will be an integral part of our cooperation,” he said, adding that his country is waiting “impatiently for an official visit” by the president-elect.