‘Heartiest congratulations my friend’: From Modi to Zelenskyy, how world leaders reacted to the Trump win

It’s a TRI-UMP!

Former US President Donald Trump clinched victory in the historic US presidential race, vowing to usher in a “golden age” for America.

As per AP,  Trump secured 277 electoral votes — well above the 270 needed to claim the presidency—defeating Democrat Kamala Harris, who garnered 224 votes.

As news of the Republican leader’s victory reached world capitals, a wave of congratulatory messages poured in from various leaders, including Indian PM Narendra Modi.  

For America’s allies and rivals alike, a Trump-led White House would bring new opportunities—and uncertainties—when it comes to foreign policy and global alliances.

Here’s a closer look at some of the reactions from world leaders so far.

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Asia

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Trump’s “election victory” and expressed confidence that with Trump at the helm, India-US ties will reach greater heights.

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

“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,”  he further wrote.

Japan

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated Donald Trump and conveyed desire to take the countries’ alliance “to new heights” after Trump’s White House victory.

“I would like to congratulate Mr Trump on his victory and also pay tribute to the democratic choice of the people of the United States,” Ishiba was quoted by AFP as saying. “I hope to work closely with Mr Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights,” he added.

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Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr reacted to the former US president’s victory election.

He said, “President Trump has won, and 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,” he was quoted as saying by _Reuters.
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Pakistan

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Trump for his “historic victory” and expressed his wish to strengthen ties between the two nations.

He wrote in a post on X, “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.”

Russia

Russia said that relations with the United States were at a historic low with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov giving a rather reserved response to Trump’s recent election win.

Further, Peskov said he was “not aware of the president’s (Putin) plans to congratulate Trump on the election” since the US was an “unfriendly country”.

He said the Kremlin was open to dialogue and would judge Trump on his actions after he returns to the White House in January.

“We will draw conclusions based on concrete steps and concrete words,” he added.

China

Without directly referencing Trump’s victory at the recent US election results, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed China’s hope for “peaceful coexistence” with the United States.

Speaking at a regular briefing, she stated, “We will continue to approach and handle China-U.S. relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. We respect the choice of the American people.”

South Korea

President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Donald Trump and posted on X, “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump! Under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you.”

Australia

Australian PM Anthony Albanese congratulated the Republican leader on his victory.

“The election of the President of the United States is always an important moment for the world, for our region and for Australia,” he said.

“The United States has long played a leadership role in the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific. Australia will strive to strengthen the co-operation between our two nations in the region,” added Albanese.

West Asia

Qatar

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose Gulf monarchy is a key mediator in the Gaza conflict and hosts the largest US military base in West Asia, in an AFP report conveyed his hopes to “work together again in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally.”

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and his son, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables to Trump with King Salman 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 of Jordan congratulated Donald Trump after the Republican leader clinched victory.

“Warmest congratulations to President Donald Trump on winning the US presidential election. Looking forward to working with you again to bolster Jordan’s longstanding partnership with the United States, in service of regional and global peace and stability for all,” he said.

Turkey

Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated “my friend Donald Trump”.

The Turkish President took to X and wrote, “I hope 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.”

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump’s “greatest comeback” signalled a new beginning in US-Israel relations.

“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!” said Netanyahu wrote on X.

Hamas

Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, told AFP, that under Trump the United State’s “blind support for the Zionist entity must end because it comes at the expense of the future of our people and the security and stability of the region.”

Europe

Germany

Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Trump and vowed Berlin would work with him 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 said.

Italy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conveyed her “sincere congratulations” in a post on X.

“Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance,” she said. “It is a strategic bond which I am sure we will now strengthen even more.”

France

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated “President Donald Trump”, saying he was ready to work with him “with respect and ambition” like “we managed to do for four years”.

In a post on X, Macron said that the relationship with Trump would “take account of your convictions, and mine”, adding: “For more peace and prosperity.”

Spain

Spain’s left-wing PM Pedro Sanchez congratulated Donald Trump and pledged to work on a “strong transatlantic partnership”.

“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on your victory and your election as 47th President of the US. We will work on our strategic bilateral relations and on a strong transatlantic partnership,” Sanchez wrote on X.

Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban - a close Trump ally - said his election was “a much-needed victory for the world”.

He wrote on X, “The biggest comeback in US political history! Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump

on his enormous win. A much-needed victory for the World!”

Nato

NATO chief Mark Rutte congratulated Trump and said his return to power would help keep the alliance “strong”.

“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 said in a statement.

Romania

Romanian PM Marcel Cicolac congratulated Trump on X.

“Congratulations to President @realDonaldTrump on this historic victory! Romania stands ready to work together to enhance our Strategic Partnership. Under your new leadership we hope for peace and prosperity for all our citizens! Looking forward to a fruitful collaboration!” he posted.

Sweden

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson wrote, “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

Jonas Gahr Stoere, the Prime Minister of Norway wrote, “I would like to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election. The U.S. is Norway’s most important ally and we work closely together in many areas. I look forward to continuing our cooperation with the U.S. under Mr. Trump’s leadership.”

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among the first leaders who congratulated the 78-year-old on his “historic election victory”.

“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,” he was quoted in an AFP report_._

Central & South America

El Salvador

Nayib Bukele, the President of EL Salavador congratulated Trump on his victory.

“Congratulations to the President-Elect of the United States of America, @realDonaldTrump. May God bless and guide you,” Bukele posted on X.

Argentina

Argentinian President Javier Millei took to X to congratulate Trump for his “formidable victory”. “Now, Make America Great Again. You know that You can count on Argentina to carry out your task,” he added.

With input from agencies