European leaders pledge cooperation with Trump after historic comeback victory

Rome Newsroom, Nov 6, 2024 / 12:15 pm (CNA).

European leaders expressed readiness to work with Donald Trump following his historic reelection, emphasizing transatlantic cooperation and shared values while acknowledging challenges ahead.

Trump secured 277 electoral votes and a popular vote margin of 5 million to defeat Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris, becoming the first U.S. president in nearly 130 years to win a nonconsecutive term.

In her congratulatory message, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed the importance of EU-U.S. relations.

“The EU and the U.S. are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens,” von der Leyen wrote on X, calling for work on “a strong transatlantic agenda.”

French President Emmanuel Macron offered congratulations in three languages — French, English, and German — emphasizing a commitment to cooperation “with your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Italy and the United States as “sister nations” connected by “an unshakeable alliance, common values, and historic friendship.”

“It is a strategic bond that I am certain we will strengthen even further,” Meloni added.

The reactions came as Trump declared victory early Wednesday morning in Florida, promising to “deliver the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized Germany’s role as a “reliable transatlantic partner,” particularly regarding what he described as Russia’s threat to security in the Euro-Atlantic region. “Germany and the USA are bound by a partnership and friendship that has grown over decades,” Scholz wrote on X. “We are better off together. Together we can achieve much more than on our own.”

The chancellor also called for closer European unity, noting he would work with French President Emmanuel Macron to coordinate with other EU leaders in upcoming meetings in Budapest.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has maintained closer ties with Trump than many European leaders, was among the first to congratulate the president-elect, calling it “the biggest comeback in U.S. political history” and a “much-needed victory for the world!”

Several European leaders highlighted shared democratic values and mutual interests, even as analysts note potential tensions over issues like NATO funding and climate policy that marked Trump’s first term.

NATO chief Mark Rutte wrote on X that he had congratulated Trump on his win, adding that his leadership is “key” to keeping the NATO alliance strong.

“I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO,” he said.

Ukraine and Israel’s leaders also signaled their desire to continue close alliances with the U.S., as Trump returns to the White House after making promises to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East through an “America First” approach.

In a statement on X congratulating Trump on his presidential win, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Trump’s reelection offers “a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, pointed to a September meeting with Trump at which they discussed “the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” Zelenskyy said, adding that they “rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”

The president-elect selected Catholic convert and Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. During the campaign, Trump actively courted Catholic voters, launching a “Catholics for Trump” coalition emphasizing religious liberty, traditional values, and pro-life positions.