World reacts as Donald Trump appears on track to secure victory in US presidential election

Jubilation had already been building through the night in the Republican former president’s camp

World leaders have begun to react to Donald Trump’s apparent victory in the United States presidential election, marking a return to the White House which could have seismic implications across the globe.

Jubilation had already been building through the night in the Republican former president’s camp, with key allies flying to his base in Florida as the first two swing states of Georgia and North Carolina were called for Mr Trump.

Donald Trump’s win in Pennsylvannia appeared to seal his victory over Kamala Harris (REUTERS)

But it was the projection of a Trump victory in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvannia – worth a whopping 19 electoral college votes – which saw a route to victory for Democrat Kamala Harris all but closed, as Mr Trump closed in on the 270 votes required for outright victory.

As Mr Trump appeared on stage to triumphantly address his supporters in Florida, the more vocal of his backers worldwide began to offer their congratulations.

In one of the most widely anticipated reactions, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Mr Trump, describing the former president’s return to power as “impressive”.

He said: “ I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

President Zelenskyy congratulated Donald Trump on his re-election (AP)

Striking an optimistic tone, president Zelenskyy said he hoped Mr Trump’s “peace through strength” approach could bring peace in his country closer. “We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

Elsewhere, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.”

Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory (via REUTERS)

The UK prime minister said: “As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.

“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.”

Also in the UK, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “He’s done it again. The most incredible political comeback of our lifetime.”

And Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch congratulated Donald Trump on his “historic election victory”.

“The world faces many serious challenges and I look forward to our two countries working together to confront them,” she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Mr Trump on X. “Congratulations, President Donald Trump,” Macron wrote.

Emmanuel Macron congratulated Donald Trump (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Meanwhile hardline ministers in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government celebrated on Wednesday.

“Yesssss, God bless Trump,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on X. Bezalel Smitrich said: “God bless Israel, God bless America.” Another member of the government, Culture Minister Miki Zohar, said: “We are looking forward to the next four years.”

Mr Netanyahu himself sent a warm message to the president-elect and his wife. He wrote: “Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on 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.

“This is a huge victory! In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu.”

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz added: “Congratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump on his historic victory. Together, we’ll strengthen the US-Israel alliance, bring back the hostages, and stand firm to defeat the axis of evil led by Iran.”

The hard-right Hungarian premier Viktor Orban suggested Mr Trump was “on the way to a beautiful victory”, having openly endorsed the Republican in a departure from most of his European Union neighbours. And, as the result became clearer, Mr Orban added: “The biggest comeback in US political history! Congratulations to President Donald Trump on his enormous win. A much needed victory for the world.”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also called Mr Trump the winner in the U.S. presidential election, Russian state-run agency RIA said on Wednesday.

Irish premier Simon Harris and deputy premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin have pledged to work to maintain and strengthen the historic links between Ireland and the US.

In a statement the Taoiseach said: “I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.

“Ireland and the United States have deep and historical bonds of people, and we will work to make these even stronger in the years ahead.

“The world faces many challenges and needs leadership to meet them.

“With the US and Ireland’s shared commitment to democracy and international law, we can, and will, tackle these challenges.”

The Tanaiste said regular high-level political engagement with the new US administration and on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill will be a high priority for the Irish Government

“We look forward to working with him and his new administration in a constructive manner, as we did during his previous administration,” he said.

“This year marks 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States.

“Ireland’s relationship with the United States draws its strength from our deep, historical people-to-people connections, the support of the US to peace on this Island, as well as our significant, and mutually beneficial, economic relationship.

“As we prepare to engage with a new US administration, we do so building on the strong legacy of the last 100 years.

“The high level of political bipartisan interest in Irish issues among US politicians and officials is, and will continue to be, invaluable.

“Regular, high-level political engagement, both with the new US administration and on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill, will be a high priority for the Government.”

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders also joined Mr Orban with an enthusiastic display of support for Mr Trump, writing on X/Twitter in capital letters: “Congratulations President Trump! Congratulations America! Never stop, always keep fighting and win elections!”

Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador was another to offer an early congratulations to Mr Trump, adding: “May God bless and guide you.”

And the former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison shared a photograph of the pair together, adding: “Congratulations President Trump.” And ex-Slovenian prime minister Janez Janša sent his congratulations to the Republican Party.

There was also a notable reaction from the global financial markets, as the US dollar surged 1.7 per cent and the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rose to a four-month high of 4.47 per cent.

With cryptocurrency-backing X owner Elon Musk closely linked to the Trump campaign and vying for control of a possible new crypto-inspired US government department, Bitcoin also hit a record high of $75,060.