REPUBLICAN Donald Trump is drawing closer to a victory in the US election, as local media has projected that he has won in more than half of the 50 states.
His tally stands at 266 electoral votes – 270 are needed to win the election. His Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, has taken 219 electoral votes.
Markets have reacted to the news, with stock futures in the US rallying, the dollar soaring against many major currencies, and bitcoin leaping to a record high.
As the day progressed and after Trump’s win seemed imminent, reactions have started to come in from world leaders.
China: China said it hopes for “peaceful coexistence” with the US, according to Reuters.
“We will continue to approach and handle China-US relations based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a briefing, according to Reuters.
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South Korea: It said it will work on a “perfect” security partnership with the new US administration, according to Reuters.
Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X that a Trump win would be a “huge victory”.
“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” he said in a post on Wednesday afternoon (Singapore time), addressing Trump and his wife, Melania. “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.”
Nato: Secretary General Mark Rutte congratulated Trump in a statement on Wednesday.
“I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through Nato,” he said, adding that Trump had “demonstrated strong US leadership” in his first term.
Germany: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock congratulated Trump, saying that Germany will remain a “close and reliable ally” for the future US government. However, she later separately told reporters that “Europeans will now have to assume even more responsibility for security policy”, according to Reuters.
France: President Emmanuel Macron said on X that he is “ready to work together” with Trump as they have done for four years. “With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity,” he added.
Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump on his “impressive election victory” in a post on X.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” he wrote.
