By Okafor Joseph Afam, November 7, 2024

LONDON — Leaders from around the world are reacting to Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, with responses ranging from congratulatory to cautious, as governments prepare for his return to the White House and the potential global impacts on economics, military strategies, and political alliances.

Israel and the Palestinian Territories
Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog hailed Trump’s victory as “historic.” Netanyahu called it one of “history’s greatest comebacks,” offering a “new beginning for America” and a reaffirmation of the U.S.-Israel alliance. While Trump has previously criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza conflict, Netanyahu’s critics in Israel are hopeful that Trump’s return could give him more leeway in military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
On the Palestinian side, Hamas official Basem Naim remarked that Trump’s win was a “private matter,” though many in Gaza fear the continuation or escalation of the war under his administration. Palestinians in the West Bank are worried about potential U.S. support for Israeli annexation plans.

Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to congratulate Trump, citing tensions over U.S. support for Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted the U.S. as “an unfriendly country” involved in a war against Russia. However, Russian lawmakers expressed hope that Trump’s victory could lead to a more constructive approach to the Ukrainian conflict, though analysts remain skeptical about any immediate improvement in U.S.-Russia relations.

Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Trump, emphasizing a desire for continued cooperation based on Trump’s “peace through strength” foreign policy. However, Zelenskyy did not address Trump’s past admiration for Putin, a point of concern for many in Ukraine and Europe regarding the stability of U.S. support in the war with Russia.

NATO
Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, expressed optimism about working with Trump again, emphasizing the importance of U.S. leadership in maintaining the alliance. Trump’s past criticism of NATO members for underfunding defense is expected to continue under his administration, alongside further pressure on European countries to increase defense spending.

China
Chinese officials have opted for a cautious response, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that China’s policy toward the U.S. will continue in line with mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. However, Trump’s promise to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods remains a potential point of conflict between the two countries.

Japan and South Korea
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese officials congratulated Trump, praising the strength of their U.S. alliances. However, both countries have privately expressed concerns about Trump’s past criticisms of their defense spending and his threat of nuclear weapon development should the U.S. withdraw from its defense commitments.

Mexico
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refrained from offering an official statement but called for calm, reassuring the public that the U.S.-Mexico relationship would remain strong despite concerns over Trump’s stance on immigration and trade.

Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Trump, emphasizing the long-standing friendship between the two countries. However, former U.S. ambassador Kelly Craft warned Canada to “buckle up,” anticipating a continuation of Trump’s 2016 policies, including the potential imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports.

South America
Conservative leaders in South America, like Argentina’s Javier Milei and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, offered enthusiastic congratulations, with Milei calling Trump’s win “formidable” and Bolsonaro praising him as a “true warrior.” Brazil’s left-wing President Lula da Silva offered more muted congratulations, emphasizing the importance of respecting democracy.

Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Trump, highlighting the importance of U.S.-Africa relations. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu echoed this sentiment, stating that Trump’s return could bring about beneficial economic partnerships for Africa. However, there are concerns over Trump’s “America First” policies potentially impacting U.S.-Africa trade.

Iraq
Iraqi leaders expressed hopes for a constructive relationship with the U.S. under Trump, despite the political tensions surrounding his administration’s involvement in the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the “special relationship” between the U.K. and the U.S., indicating that they would work closely together, especially as the U.K. continues to negotiate a post-Brexit trade deal with Washington.

France
French President Emmanuel Macron, while expressing readiness to work with Trump, emphasized the importance of defending Europe’s interests and values, especially following tensions over trade and tariffs during Trump’s previous presidency.

The world is clearly divided on Trump’s victory, with some leaders hopeful for strengthened relations, while others express concerns over the potential global implications of his policies.