World leaders pledge to work with Trump after election triumph

World leaders raced to congratulate Donald Trump on Wednesday as he triumphed in a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris.

European leaders in particular were quick to extend their best wishes and offers of cooperation, in contrast to a much cooler reaction when Trump won for the first time in 2016.

Without directly mentioning Trump, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China hoped for "peaceful coexistence" with the United States.

"We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation," she said.

"We are under no illusions about the American president-elect," Moscow's foreign ministry said, adding that it would "work with" a new US administration and prioritise achieving its "set goals" in Ukraine. It said its "conditions" on ending the conflict "are unchanged and are well known in Washington".

President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump on his "impressive victory" and said he hoped his presidency would bring a "just peace in Ukraine closer".

"I appreciate president Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelensky said on social media.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump's win "history's greatest comeback" and a "new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America".

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Trump's return to power would help keep the alliance "strong", adding "I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO".

"We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens," European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. "Let's work together on a strong trans-Atlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them."

The UN is "ready to work constructively with the incoming administration to address the dramatic challenges our world is facing," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that "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."

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was ready to work "with respect and ambition" with Trump, like "we managed to do for four years".

He said their relationship would "take account of your convictions, and mine... For more peace and prosperity."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Trump "we're better off together".

"Both sides benefit from the trans-Atlantic partnership," he added. "The EU and the USA are two similarly large economic areas, linked by the closest economic relations in the world."

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered congratulations while affirming that "Italy and the United States are 'sister' nations, linked by an unshakeable alliance."

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated "my friend Donald Trump", adding that "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."

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump's closest ally in Europe, called the result "perhaps the greatest comeback in Western political history".

"They threatened him with jail, have taken away his assets, tried to murder him, the entire media world in the US turned against him, and yet he won," he posted.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he hoped "to work closely with Mr Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed a "historic election victory" for "my friend" Trump.

"As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration," he said.

President Yoon Suk Yeol said that "under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-US alliance and America will shine brighter. Look forward to working closely with you."

President Lai Ching-te expressed confidence US-Taiwan relations would continue to "serve as a cornerstone for regional stability".

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Trump's election victory was "no cause for concern" despite his threats of tariffs and mass migrant deportations.

"We are a free, independent, sovereign country and there will be good relations with the United States. I am convinced of this," she said.

Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva congratulated Trump and wished him "luck and success", adding that "The world needs dialogue and joint work for more peace, development and prosperity."

Saudi Arabia's King Salman and his son, de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sent cables to Trump, with the king hailing "close relations between the two friendly countries and peoples, which everyone seeks to strengthen and develop in all fields", the Saudi Press Agency said.

Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, whose Gulf monarchy is a key mediator in the Gaza conflict, said he looked forward to "working together again in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally".

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he hoped Trump's return to the White House would help foster peace in the Middle East.

"I look forward to reaching peace together, upholding regional stability and strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States," Sisi said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country will take over the G20 presidency next year -- ahead of the United States in 2026 -- said he looked forward to "continuing the close and mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations across all domains of our cooperation".

President Bola Tinubu said Trump's victory reflected the trust and confidence Americans had placed in his leadership.

"Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace and address global challenges that affect our citizens," his office said.

Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a Russian ally, said he hoped for cooperation with Trump especially "in the areas of security and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons".

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan called for "continued regional cooperation" between the US and the five Central Asian countries under their "C5+1" forum.

"Ensuring a stable peace in Afghanistan... will be an integral part of our cooperation," he added, and his country is waiting "impatiently for an official visit" by Trump.