NI leaders congratulate Trump on US election win

Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly congratulated Donald Trump

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers have jointly issued statements congratulating Donald Trump on winning the US election.

Trump will return to the White House as America's 47th president after a sizable victory over Kamala Harris.

"The American people have voted and congratulations are due to President-elect Donald Trump," said First Minster Michelle O'Neill.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she looked forward to enhancing Northern Ireland's "long and cherished bonds with the United States".

In her statement, O'Neill said she would "continue to work with the incoming administration, to protect the Good Friday Agreement and press for a ceasefire in Gaza, peace the Middle East and Ukraine".

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, O'Neill wished Trump well in his role, but added that her "priority when it comes to engaging with the American administration is the role they play in terms of our peace process".

Little Pengelly said the bonds with the US were "built on history, heritage and trade" and she looked forward to working with Trump's administration "as we drive forward our agenda for economic growth in Northern Ireland".

'Greatest comeback'

Earlier, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) congratulated Trump on "what has rightly been described as the greatest political comeback of all time".

In a statement, Gavin Robinson said the "divisive" election has come to a "decisive" conclusion with the American people giving "a strong mandate".

During Trump's last term, "many regarded his presidency as one of balance and fairness regarding our own local political divisions", Robinson added.

"I trust he adopts the same approach to the 47th presidency as he did the 45th, and the ties between the US and Northern Ireland remain strong. I wish him well."

DUP Gavin Robinson said Trump had achieved a decisive victory

'Not everyone's cup of tea'

The leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Claire Hanna said it is “disheartening” to see that Trump’s “divisive brand of politics has been so widely endorsed”.

"Many people will be feeling low today, and I hope they will take care," she said.

“The best response to this is to organise, and to think about the ways that we can help protect community cohesion, security, and the planet.”

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister told the BBC's Nolan Show "Donald Trump is not everyone's cup of tea but I think he's better than the alternative of Harris."

"I think he will chime with some of the issues that affect Northern Ireland."

People Before Profit assembly member Gerry Carroll said Trump's election is "not something to be welcomed or normalised".

"Trump’s record should be proof enough that there is nothing to gain from a relationship with him," he said.

Shared commitment

Meanwhile, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris has pledged to work to "deepen and strengthen the historic and unbreakable bonds" between Ireland and the US.

He echoed comments from the DUP leader, saying "the people of the United States have spoken".

"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," he added.

"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."

Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin has also congratulated Trump, adding that he is looking forward to working with the new administration "in a constructive manner".

He 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.

Analysis: Gareth Gordon, BBC News NI political correspondent

In this most unpredictable of elections, one thing is safe to say: as he contemplates his achievement, Donald Trump is not consumed with thoughts of what it means for Northern Ireland.

So far, going by the muted reaction here, Northern Ireland and he are in agreement on that.

Unlike last time, when there was overt support for Trump from senior DUP figures like Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley, the DUP was relatively silent in the lead up to the election.

Last time there was no presidential visit, but then Stormont was suspended for most of his tenure.

However, near the end of March 2020, he did finally appoint a Special Envoy, Mick Mulvaney, though he resigned the following January in protest at the Capitol riots.

Will the outgoing envoy Joe Kennedy be replaced is question number one.

And so, along with the rest of the world, we wait to see what’s coming.

But make no mistake, we are well down any queue.

7 November 2024: This article was updated to correct a factual error.