Praise and War

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World leaders reacted with a mix of congratulations and caution Wednesday to former US President Donald Trump’s election victory, as allies and rivals alike contemplated potential changes in US foreign policy in his second term, CBS News reported.

Trump’s win inspired hope from some allies for a “peace through strength” approach in global affairs, while others voiced concern over potential shifts in US priorities that would impact NATO, Ukraine and trade.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to congratulate Trump, who called the win “history’s greatest comeback,” adding that his victory “offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” according to Fox News.

His praise comes as Israel fights a multi-front war with Iran-backed militant groups Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel is looking to Washington for steadfast support, despite some tension between the allies over military tactics.

In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Trump’s win as “impressive” and expressed hope that the president-elect’s “peace through strength” stance would help achieve “just peace” with Russia.

However, the Ukrainian government is concerned over Trump’s pledges to end the conflict quickly, as they fear this could mean a reduction in or even halt to US military aid. Officials in the capital Kyiv worry that the prospect of diminished US support could weaken Ukraine’s resistance to Russian advances. They have warned that declining Western resolve over supporting Ukraine could lead to wider conflict in Europe, with direct implications for NATO and its member states, including the US.

Other allies offered positive – but measured – responses. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Trump, pledging cooperation “with respect and ambition” while signaling a push for European unity on defense. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the “special relationship” between the US and the United Kingdom would remain strong, calling the nations “the closest of allies.”

Russia, while refraining from direct congratulations, voiced cautious optimism. Leonid Slutsky, head of the Duma’s Committee on International Affairs, saw Trump’s win as “a chance for a more constructive approach” in Ukraine, suggesting it could end the “proxy war.” However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow would “draw conclusions based on concrete steps” and reiterated that the US remains “an unfriendly country.”

In the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te congratulated Trump, citing hopes that the relationship between the two countries “will continue to serve as a cornerstone for regional stability and lead to greater prosperity for us all.”

Even so, Taiwan voiced concerns ahead of the US election, with officials emphasizing the importance of strong, bipartisan support for Taipei, the Hill reported.

Trump has stirred unease with remarks suggesting Taiwan should pay the US for defense and accusing it of undermining American semiconductor manufacturing.

China has continued to assert its claim over Taiwan, and analysts said that Trump’s reelection could either stabilize the region through deterrence or embolden China, depending on how he manages the US-Taiwan relationship.

Elsewhere, Iran downplayed the significance of Trump’s win, asserting that US-Iran policies are “fixed and do not change with the change of individuals.” However, the country’s currency dipped, with some citizens expressing fear that sanctions under Trump will intensify, Reuters wrote.