A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson says Beijing ’respect the choice of the American people.’
Leaders from the Asia-Pacific region congratulated Republican Donald Trump on Wednesday on winning the U.S. presidential election.
“We respect the choice of the American people and congratulate Mr. Trump on his election as president,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement late on Wednesday.
China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters earlier on Nov. 6 that Beijing will continue to manage its relationship with Washington based on “the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”
Mao declined to comment on how the Chinese regime plans to respond if Trump imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods.
During the presidential campaign, the Republican candidate pledged to revoke China’s permanent normal trade relations status, which gives the country free trade benefits with the United States.
Trump also said he may impose more than 60 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, although some analysts believe he’s using the threat to negotiate a trade deal similar to the Phase One U.S.–China trade deal signed during his first term.
Beijing didn’t fulfill its promise in the Phase One deal to buy an additional $200 billion in U.S. products over two years. In September, Trump said he would ask Xi to honor the agreement in his first call with the Chinese leader after being reelected as president.
Trump declared victory in the early hours of Wednesday, calling the result “a magnificent victory for the American people.”
Trump’s win made him the second president in American history to reclaim the office after losing his first reelection bid. Grover Cleveland was the first president to win a second nonconsecutive term in 1892 after losing in 1888.
Leaders of India, South Korea, Japan, and other countries in the region said they look forward to strengthening ties with the United States.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote: “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory.”
Modi said he looks forward to further strengthening the U.S.–India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.
“Together, let’s work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.
In 2017, then-President Trump, Modi, and the then-leaders of Australia and Japan revived the four countries’ Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region.
In June last year, Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden announced the Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, declaring India and the United States to be “among the closest partners in the world.”
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also said he “looks forward to working closely” with Trump.
“Under your strong leadership, the future of the ROK-U.S. alliance and America will shine brighter,” he wrote.
Japan’s new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, sent his “Heartfelt congratulations” to Trump.
“I truly look forward to working closely with you to further bolster the Japan-US Alliance & cooperate to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he wrote.
Also, Ishiba told reporters, “I will do my utmost to get in touch with Mr. Trump as soon as possible.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Trump and the American people “on their victory in an exercise that showed the world the strength of American values.”
He called for cooperation on “a wide range of issues,” saying he’s “hopeful that this unshakeable alliance, tested in war and peace, will be a force for good, blazing a path of prosperity and amity in the region and on both sides of the Pacific.”
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te sent his “sincere congratulations” to the U.S. president-elect for his victory.
Lai said he is confident that the longstanding Taiwan–U.S. partnership, “built on shared values & interests, will continue to serve as a cornerstone for regional stability & lead to greater prosperity for us all.”
Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese spoke of the friendship and alliance of Australia and the United States.
“Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future,” he wrote.
The prime ministers of Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand also congratulated Trump on his upcoming return to the White House.
Reuters contributed to this report.
This article has been updated with the latest responses from China’s foreign ministry.