Keir Starmer congratulates Donald Trump: ‘We stand shoulder to shoulder’
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Global leaders have congratulated Donald Trump on becoming president once again, following his successful election campaign.
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In brief…
- Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky are among the world leaders to send their congratulations to Donald Trump following the outcome of the US election.
- Trump has previously said would cut US aid to Ukraine if he returned to The White House.
- Jon Sopel says the UK has laid foundations for a good relationship, but does not see Keir Starmer and Trump as sharing a similar mindset.
What’s the story?
World leaders have congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the 47th president of the United States, following his remarkable win in the US election.
Trump declared victory within hours of voting closing across the US, while his Democratic Party rival Kamala Harris shut down her election night event and went home.
Keir Starmer describes the UK and US as the "closest of allies".
"We stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise," Starmer said.
"From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come."
Kemi Badenoch, newly appointed leader of the Conservatives, said she looked forward to the UK and US working together to confront "serious challenges".
Not all UK party leaders shared Starmer's optimism, however, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey describing Trump's re-election as "a dark day for people around the globe."
"The next President of the United States is a man who actively undermines the rule of law, human rights, international trade, climate action and global security," Davey said.
"Millions of Americans – especially women and minorities – will be incredibly fearful about what comes next. We stand with them."
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been mocked for his message of congratulations to the new president, which marks a major change in tone having previously described Trump as “racist KKK and Nazi sympathiser”.
Is this Trump victory even more devastating for the Democrats than 2016?
What have overseas leaders said?
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped to work with the US to achieve peace in the country.
"We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership," he said.
"We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States."
Donald Trump has previously said he would cut US aid to Ukraine if he won the election.
Emmanuel Macron said France was ready to work with the US with "respect and ambition".
Giorgia Melina, Italy's right-wing prime minister, described the two countries as “'sister' nations", saying they were "linked by an unshakable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship."
Hungary's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban described the result as "A much needed victory for the World." He previously backed Trump in 2016.
Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's election success as ”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," the Israel Prime Minister added.
Donald Trump: The Sequel
What’s The News Agents take?
Jon Sopel describes Keir Starmer's message to Trump as "excellent work to lay the foundations", but adds that working together is "not going to be easy".
"You don’t feel that Don and Keir are fist-bumping soulmates," he says.
He also highlighted how Netanyahu was among the first to congratulate Biden in 2020, and questioned whether that might rub the new president up the wrong way.
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