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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory and declared Australia’s alliance with the United States remains strong.

“Australia and America are old allies and we are true friends,” he said.

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

“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 congratulated the Republican Party, as world leaders declared it one of the greatest ever political comebacks.

“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... may we draw renewed energy and confidence from the things that unite the American and Australian people, the principles we hold dear, the patriotism that drives us and the pragmatism that defines us.”

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.”

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

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.

Another former Liberal Prime Minister congratulated Mr Trump.

“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”.

The UK is the third member of the tri-lateral AUKUS partnership and 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 social media platform 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!”

The owner of X, Elon Musk, posted a photo of himself with President-elect Trump and boasted about record traffic on the online platform.

“Game, set and match,” he said.

“You are the media now... the future is gonna (sic) be fantastic... the future is gonna be (fire)... let that sink in.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier told Parliament his Government would seek to build a strong partnership with whoever won the vote.

“The election of a new US president is always a moment of profound consequence for the world, for our region and for Australia,” he told Parliament.

He reiterated the point he has made previously that the relationship between the United States and Australia was “bigger than individuals”.

“The US alliance has grown and it has prospered under Labor and Liberal governments, under Democrat and Republican administrations,” he said.

“A much needed victory for the world!” Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor said.

Owner of social media platform X, Elon Musk, posted a photo of himself with President-elect Trump and boasted of record traffic on the site.

“You are the media now,” he told followers.

“The future is gonna be fantastic... the future is gonna be (fire).. let that sink in.”

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

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.