World
Election 2024 live updates: Biden promises peaceful transfer of power; Trump transition kicks off
Trump continued to receive congratulations from across the globe as world leaders pledged to work with the president-elect — all while bracing for potential world-changing policies out of Washington.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged that many elements of U.S.-Europe ties could be different under Trump, but emphasized that Germany will be committed to the transatlantic relationship and noted that the European Union had already taken on more responsibility for security and energy, which are common interests with the United States. He also noted that the U.S. and Europe benefit from their transatlantic partnership, adding in English, “We’re better off together.”
Referring to Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said Trump’s “peace through strength” approach is what “Russia and autocrats understand.” He added, “Congratulations to the American people, and thank you for your support.”
Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry responded to Trump’s win by claiming in a statement that Democrats had unleashed “a powerful propaganda campaign” against him and praised Trump for emphasizing “issues of economics and illegal migration that really concern voters, in opposition to the globalist course of the White House.”
The statement continued: “We have no illusions about the elected US President, who is well known in Russia, and the new composition of Congress, where the Republicans, according to preliminary data, are gaining the upper hand. The ruling political elite in the United States, regardless of party affiliation, adheres to anti-Russian attitudes and a line to ‘contain Moscow.'”
Russia has been identified by U.S. national security officials as running what are among most sophisticated election disinformation efforts.
Beijing declined to discuss Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese-made products. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said: “We will continue to approach and manage U.S.-China relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu couldn’t contain his glee over Trump’s win, saying in statement: “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!”
Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, told NBC News in a WhatsApp statement that “the election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans, but Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza.”