World reacts to Donald Trump victory, Prime Minister Albanese declares Australia and America ‘true friends’

As Donald Trump celebrated through the night following an extraordinary political comeback, Australian and world leaders marked a new chapter in US politics — albeit one that is reminiscent of 2017.

Many leaders — including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese — were focused on what it would mean for foreign affairs and global security. Some highlighted how the first Trump administration had taken a hard line on China during the 2018-2019 trade war.

Mr Trump previously proposed crippling tariffs on Chinese imports in excess of 60 per cent if re-elected and ending the country’s most-favoured nation trading status.

Mr Albanese vowed to work closely with Mr Trump and emphasised the United States’ leadership role in stability and security. He said Australia and America were “old allies” and “true friends”.

“Our Government will work closely with the new Trump Administration to realise the benefits of our strong economic partnership,” the PM said.

“The United States has long played a leadership role in the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific. Australia will strive to strengthen the co-operation between our two nations in the region.

“I look forward to talking with President Trump and working with him in the best interests of both our nations.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton declared the years ahead under a Trump administration should be some of the “most defining”, as concerns about the Republican’s commitment to the AUKUS pact and what it means for Australia’s plan to acquire nuclear submarines were played down.

“The United States has been an overwhelming force for good in the world,” Mr Dutton said.

“When our close ally is strong and at its best, the world is at its best.

“May the years ahead be some of the most defining for our Alliance . . . in which we unleash the defence, industrial and economic opportunities of AUKUS at speed and scale.”

Former prime minister Scott Morrison said the next United States president would have a “very positive impact” on global security issues and called it an “extraordinary victory”.

Speaking specifically about AUKUS, Mr Morrison said he believed Mr Trump would honour that partnership because it was a “good deal”.

“I’m very positive about it. I’ve never understood why people would doubt that he wouldn’t support it. It’s a good deal,” Mr Morrison told ABC.

“He was very committed to the alliance when we were in government.”

On more global security issues, Mr Morrison said Mr Trump would also bring a “fresh take” on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Gaza conflict.

“Frankly, we need a few fresh takes on some of those challenges,” Mr Morrison said.

He said the first Trump administration had taken the lead in combating the “issue of China”, which the AUKUS partnership had been borne from.

Speaking ahead of the election result, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the country would continue to work with the US on the basis of mutual respect.

“Our policy towards the US is consistent,” Ms Ning told a press conference in Beijing.

“We will continue to view and handle China-US relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation” .

Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy told Senate estimates on Wednesday his department had modelled the “significant” impacts of Mr Trump’s proposed tariffs and trade policies on the Australian economy.

He said the increase in tariffs would have implications for the US economy and for China, which he noted was Australia’s largest trading partner.

“The imposition of trade restrictions, such as tariffs, typically lead to lower growth and higher inflation,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Mr Trump’s historic return to the White House “offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”

Another former Liberal prime minister congratulated Mr Trump on his return to the leadership of the “free world”.

“Self belief is what the West needs right now and Trump has that in spades,” Tony Abbott said.

But WA Senator Fatima Payman, who resigned from the Labor party in July, urged Trump to “please cancel the AUKUS agreement” as Greens leader Adam Bandt declared the result a “pretty terrifying” outcome.

“We cannot be tied to such a dangerous demagogue,” he said.

The UK is the third member of the tri-lateral AUKUS partnership. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer added his congratulations to President-elect Trump.

“I look forward to working with you in the years ahead,” he said.

“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise.”

UK Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage gave a thumbs up to cameras from his position at a Trump HQ party in West Palm Beach.

On X, he called it “the most incredible political comeback of our lifetime.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor called it “a much needed victory for the World!”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his “heartiest” congratulations to “my friend”.

“As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Albanese paid tribute to “my friend Joe Biden”, saying they had worked together to make the alliance “stronger than it has ever been”.