ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi officials on Wednesday congratulated the US president-elect Donald Trump on his election victory, encouraging Washington to participate in constructive dialogue.
“We congratulate President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect James David Vance, and the American people on the success in the elections. Iraq reaffirms its steadfast commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States, grounded in mutual respect and shared interests,” read a statement from the Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.
“We look forward to this new phase as a beginning to deepen cooperation across various sectors, contributing to sustainable development and benefiting both our friendly nations,” he added.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid also congratulated Trump on his win, hoping the next government in Washington can diplomatically address ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“I am hopeful that the new American administration will foster much-needed stability and constructive dialogue in the region,” read a post from Rashid on X.
Trump’s defeat of Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after current US President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, makes him the first president to serve non-consecutive terms since 1892 when Grover Cleveland was elected.
“We’re going to help our country here. We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders. We’re going to fix everything about our country, and we’ve made history for a reason tonight,” Trump said in his victory speech after defeating Harris, vowing to lead the “golden age of America.”
Trump took office in 2016 in a narrow victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton but lost his re-election bid to Biden in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
