Photo by Jigar Panchal on Unsplash
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has warmly congratulated Donald Trump on his election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
But others have cautioned that his win now presents a profound challenge to world stability.
Following Trump’s bigger than expected victory, von der Leyen said she also looks forward to working with President Trump again to advance a strong transatlantic agenda.
Trump’s margin of victory was much bigger than pollsters had predicted and the world woke up on Wednesday to the shock news of his 2nd term in office. He is the first former president ever to be charged with and convicted of felonies and some said this was a sad and sobering morning.
On Wednesday, von der Leyen was one of the first to send him a message, though, which added, “The European Union and the United States are more than just allies.”
“We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens. This bond runs deep, rooted in our shared history, commitment to freedom and democracy, and common goals of security and opportunity for all.Let us work together on a transatlantic partnership that continues to deliver for our citizens. Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment on each side of the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship,” said the EU Commission president.
From the business world, further comment came from BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson who also congratulated Trump and spoke of the importance of a strong Transatlantic partnership.
He said: “The U.S. election is an opportunity to highlight the vital role European companies play in the U.S. economy, with EU investment in the U.S. totalling $2.4 trillion and our companies supporting over 3.4 million American jobs. Indeed, the EU and the U.S. have the largest and most integrated economic partnership in the world.”
“Beyond economic ties, we share a commitment to upholding democracy and the rule of law, as well as having common views on addressing geopolitical challenges. The Transatlantic partnership must be strengthened and safeguarded through open dialogue and a forward-looking agenda for cooperation.”
“BusinessEurope is ready to engage with the new U.S. Administration and work on concrete solutions that can drive economic growth, investment, and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Further comment came from former Dutch PM Mark Rutte, the new secretary-general of Nato an organisation Trump has repeatedly threatened and called into doubt, who said: “I just congratulated on his election as president of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through Nato.”
MEPs have also reacted to what is a historic win for Trump.
The co leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, Nicola Procaccini, said: “My warm congratulations go to Donald Trump after his electoral success.”
“His dedication and leadership have clearly resonated with Americans across the nation. We in the ECR family look forward to fostering strong cooperation and strengthening our ties across the Atlantic in the coming years, building pragmatic solutions together. This new chapter offers a unique opportunity to reinforce our political bridges, advance shared goals, and promote a future of prosperity.”
ECR co leader Joachim Brudziński said: “I congratulate Donald Trump on his impressive victory. His commitment to the American people is clear as ever. We are optimistic about this new mandate and see it as an invaluable opportunity to deepen the special relationship that exists between the United States and Europe. We are ready to collaborate on a shared agenda that fosters stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Elsewhere, Mélanie Vogel and Thomas Waitz, co-chairs of the European Green Party, said, “Europe will have to become a beacon of hope and democracy, in response to the US election result, which poses a profound challenge to global political stability, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East.”
“This is a sad and sobering morning for all progressives and democrats worldwide, including in Europe. With autocrats like Putin in Russia and Trump in the US in power, the European Union will have to stand on its own two feet in terms of support for Ukraine, climate action and the fight for democracy.”
The EU, already facing more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change, will have to oppose Trump’s damage to climate policy. Europe must take a leading role in addressing the severe climate crisis.
The EU has a duty to serve as a beacon of freedom, diversity and democracy on the world stage. It must rapidly ramp up support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression. The European Union must also intensify its diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire in the Middle East.
The European Greens will continue to campaign for Europe to show courage in the face of the rising far right and autocrats.
Thomas Waitz, co-chair of the European Green Party said: “This is a dark day in the US and globally. President-Elect Trump, and his authoritarian policies, represent a real threat to freedom of speech and to democratic institutions. Europe must respond with more democracy and more global solidarity. We will keep resisting the far-right the world over, and continue to build alliances to fight it. In a world of fear, the European Union must become a beacon of hope.”
Mélanie Vogel, co-chair of the European Green Party added: “This election needs to be a wake up call for all democrats and progressives in Europe. We need to live up to the existential need to defend democratic values, to guarantee fundamental rights and to protect the common good. As European Greens we will do everything we can to ensure that the EU moves forward towards more unity, ambition and alliances with other parts of the world.”
French president Emmanuel Macron gave his congratulations, adding: “Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
British prime minister Keir Starmer, whose Labour party had sent volunteers to help the defeated Democrat party, prompting angry claims of ‘foreign interference’ by the Trump campaign, called it a “historic election victory.”
