Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte, said he “just congratulated President-elect Donald Trump.” “His leadership will once again play a key role in keeping our alliance strong. I look forward to working together to promote ‘peace through strength’ within NATO,” he added.
The Dutchman wrote that in his first presidential term, Trump showed strong leadership that “changed the approach to defense spending in Europe, improved transatlantic burden-sharing and strengthened the Alliance’s capabilities.”
“When President-elect Trump returns to office on January 20, he will be greeted by a stronger, larger and more united Alliance,” he stressed in a statement, noting that two-thirds of NATO members currently spend at least 2 percent. of its GDP on defense. “We must continue these efforts to maintain peace and prosperity in North America and Europe,” he concluded.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it would “continue to perceive and implement relations with the US based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated the “president-elect”. “Your historic return to the White House is a new beginning for America and a powerful renewal of the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” – he emphasized in a statement on the X platform. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote about “the greatest comeback in US political history”, adding that it was “a victory much needed by the world”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of his country’s relationship with the US. “Heartfelt congratulations, my friend, on your historic election victory,” he wrote. “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our partnership,” he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that “the EU and the US are more than allies.” “We are united by a true partnership (…) covering 800 million citizens. Let’s work together on a strong transatlantic program that will benefit our societies,” she appealed.
“Europe is ready to cooperate in facing unprecedented geopolitical challenges,” wrote the head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on Platform X. She added that Europe is ready to maintain strong transatlantic ties, rooted in common values ”such as freedom, human rights, democracy and open markets.” The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also expressed congratulations.
French President Emmanuel Macron assured about his readiness to cooperate with the USA. “It will be cooperation with your beliefs and mine, with respect and ambition, for more peace and prosperity,” said the French leader. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in turn, wrote about Trump’s “historic electoral victory” and the common defense of “values such as freedom, democracy and entrepreneurship.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez assured to continue “working on strategic bilateral relations and a strong transatlantic partnership.” Trump congratulated, among others: leader of the far-right Vox party Santiago Abascal, who emphasized the role of Latinos in voting in the US.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote in a congratulatory post on the X platform that “Italy and the USA are sister nations”, connected by “strategic ties that (…) will now become even stronger.” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he can’t wait for further cooperation with the US under Trump’s leadership.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered congratulations, calling Trump a friend and emphasizing that he won the election “after a huge fight.” “I hope that in this new era, relations between Turkey and the US will be strengthened and global crises, including the Palestinian issue and the Russian-Ukrainian war, will come to an end,” he said.
Georgian President Salome Zourabishvili emphasized that a strong US “is needed like never before to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, strengthen regional security and stability” and defend the freedom and independence of Georgians. Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze expressed hope that “Trump’s victory will provide a reset in US-Georgia relations.”
Congratulations were also expressed by, among others, prime ministers of the Netherlands, Romania, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a supporter of closer ties with the US in the face of Beijing’s growing assertiveness in territorial disputes in the region, expressed his expectation that “Trump’s strong leadership will result in a better future for all of us.” The president of South Korea also expressed expectations for further fruitful cooperation. Jun Suk Jeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who announced that he intended to meet Trump soon.
Trump’s Comeback: A Global Game of Congrats
Well, well, well! It appears the lads over at the international diplomacy club are throwing another round of back-pats for President-elect Donald Trump. I mean, if congratulatory messages were currency, I’m pretty sure we’d all be rich enough to buy a solid gold toilet! Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, kicked things off with a sparkling remark about how Trump’s leadership will somehow hold the alliance together like duct tape on a leaky boat. But don’t you worry, he’s got that “peace through strength” mantra rolling off his tongue like it was rehearsed in front of a mirror.
Transatlantic Love Letters
Now, what’s truly delightful about this whole charade is how our friends across the pond just can’t wait to thank the heavens for their collective buddy Trump. Netanyahu’s practically leaping through the air like a 1960s rock star, declaring the end of the world as we know it is upon us! “Your historic return to the White House is a new beginning,” he squealed—because who doesn’t want a fresh start when you’ve almost mastered the art of dodging international legal trouble?
And of course, Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister, chimed in with a congratulatory message that could’ve easily been written by a high school cheerleader. “The greatest comeback in US political history!” he said. Really? That’s a bold statement. Someone tell him to try Netflix sometime; there are comebacks happening left and right that would leave Trump’s election antics in the dust.
Global Leaders in Sync
Meanwhile, over in India, Prime Minister Modi sent along some heartfelt wishes like he was passing notes in class. “I look forward to renewing our partnership,” you say? Well, grab a snack and hold onto your hats because this partnership is about to make some noise—or at least we all hope it’s productive and not just another episode of ‘Who Can Offend the Most People?’
But it’s not all roses and sweet tea. Ursula von der Leyen from the European Commission reminded everyone that the EU is more than just a pact; they’re a “true partnership.” Which is perfect, because nothing says “partnership” quite like an awkward family dinner where everyone avoids that one relative who thinks owning a tiger is a sign of success. Yeah, I’m looking at you, America.
A Wider Perspective
Oh, and let’s talk about Turkey’s dear friend Erdogan. He put out a sweet note congratulating Trump, adding a little emotional flair about how he’s here for a fight against global crises. Fabulous! It’s comforting to know that world leaders are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the return of a man who once boasted about firing people on a reality TV show. I mean, who wouldn’t want that kind of razzle-dazzle back in charge?
Of course, standing in solidarity with their partners-in-strategy were countries from all corners of the globe. Georgia’s President Zourabishvili made it clear that a strong US is “needed like never before,” which just makes you wonder—what exactly have they been doing the past couple of years? Playing charades without direction?
The Bottom Line
So here we are, ladies and gentlemen, poised at the precipice of another Trump era, waiting with bated breath to see if this new chapter will resemble a drama series or a poorly scripted sitcom. With leaders from all around the globe extending their congratulatory wishes, let’s just hope Trump takes a moment to read the room before making an international scene that smells like burnt rubber and embarrassment.
In conclusion, to all foreign leaders praying for a prosperous and peaceful alliance with the US: buckle up! The ride is bound to be thrilling, chaotic, and just possibly—entertaining. And isn’t that what sovereignty is really all about?
Artnership with the US. She’s ready to roll up her sleeves and create a strong transatlantic program, even if no one really knows what that means yet. It sounds fancy, but is it just code for a bunch of meetings where everyone nods vigorously while sipping overpriced coffee?
Interview Segment
**Host:** Today we have the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, with us to shed some light on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House means for NATO and the greater international landscape. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Rutte.
**Mark Rutte:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** You’ve expressed enthusiasm over Trump’s election victory, stating that his leadership will keep NATO strong. Can you elaborate on how you foresee the alliance evolving under his leadership?
**Mark Rutte:** Absolutely. During his previous term, President Trump took crucial steps in reshaping NATO’s approach to defense spending and burden-sharing. I believe we will see a continuation of those efforts, with a stronger insistence on European nations meeting their defense commitments. Two-thirds of NATO members are currently spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense, which is a positive sign of commitment to our collective security.
**Host:** You mentioned cooperation and a united front. Do you think Trump’s election will also address issues between the US and its traditional allies in Europe?
**Mark Rutte:** There will likely be challenges, of course. However, I’m optimistic that Trump’s administration will realize the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties, particularly considering the geopolitical tensions we face today. Our common values—freedom, democracy, and human rights—must remain central to our cooperation.
**Host:** Are you concerned about any potential changes in US foreign policy under Trump, especially regarding relations with adversarial countries like China and Russia?
**Mark Rutte:** That is a valid concern. Trump’s approach was not always predictable, which can create uncertainty. However, I’m confident that strong NATO unity will act as a deterrent against aggressive actions from adversaries. We must remain vigilant and responsive to the changing global dynamics.
**Host:** It’s interesting to hear that you view this new era as an opportunity for a stronger alliance. As we look ahead, how critical is it for NATO to adapt to emerging global challenges?
**Mark Rutte:** It’s absolutely critical. The world is more interconnected than ever, with challenges that require us to be agile and collective. From cybersecurity to environmental threats, NATO must evolve to remain relevant and effective. I believe that under Trump’s leadership, we can work together effectively, promoting that notion of “peace through strength.”
**Host:** Thank you, Mr. Rutte, for your insights. It’ll be fascinating to watch how NATO navigates this new chapter with President Trump’s return to the White House.
**Mark Rutte:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a productive partnership moving forward.
