Strong Wales-US links to continue under Trump - FM

The first minister of Wales has congratulated Donald Trump on his US election victory.

Eluned Morgan said Wales and the US have a “strong relationship” and she looked forward to that continuing.

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, paid tribute to Trump, but Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth called his win a "backward step".

Former Welsh government cabinet member, Mick Antoniw, described it as a "threat to the rule of law and democracy”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Trump, saying "I look forward to working with you in the years ahead".

In a statement on X – formerly known as twitter – Morgan said: “Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump”.

"Wales and the USA have a strong relationship which we highly value."

"We look forward to continuing that partnership for the benefit of all our people."

According to the latest figures from the Welsh government, in 2023 the USA was the highest value market for products from Wales, accounting for £2.9bn (15.1%) of exports although this was proportion was down from 16.6% in 2022.

In early 2017, nine months before becoming a Welsh government minister, Morgan had been less diplomatic about Trump, describing him as "off the scale crazy" in a BBC Wales interview.

On Tuesday, Morgan said that the outcome of the US election would have "a profound effect on Wales and the world" and she hoped people in the United States “understand their responsibilities” to the environment.

She did not name either candidate, but her remarks will be seen as a reference to Trump.

He has made apparently contradictory comments about climate change the past, once calling it a “hoax”.

The first minister was answering Senedd questions about Welsh government policies on the climate and nature emergencies.

On Wednesday, Conservative Welsh parliamentary leader Andrew RT Davies praised Trump's achievement at the polls overnight, telling BBC Wales: "What a comeback!"

"Irrespective of your political view on this, Donald Trump has been written off many times, and here he is winning the popular vote, winning the Electoral College and the Republican Party - the sister party of the Conservative Party in America - has won the Senate and the House of Representatives."

He added that Trump now enjoyed a "powerful mandate to make a real difference in people's lives, and I hope it's deployed carefully, constructively and profitably, not just for the American people, but for everyone across this world of ours".

During his campaign Trump promised to impose tariffs – a form of tax – on imports to the US.

Asked about the potential impact that could have on Welsh exporters, Davies said businesses in Wales should not be “fearful”, and should instead be “excited” about “increasing more opportunities in America”.

Meanwhile Morgan Griffith - who was re-elected as the Republican representative for the 9th District of Virginia in the House of Representatives and is the founder of the Friends of Wales Caucus in Congress - said he was confident the "special relationship" between Wales and the US still existed.

He told BBC Radio Wales Drive: "We have a common heritage, we believe in many of the same principles and that binds us together.

"That doesn't mean we'll always agree, but it is a special relationship and I certainly will work to make sure it continues to be one."

Former Welsh government minister Mick Antoniw called Trump's victory a "boost for Russian Fascism and Putin, a threat to rule of law and democracy".

Pontypridd Senedd member Antoniw has family in Ukraine and regularly makes aid visits there.

There are concerns that the US under Trump will cut military aid to the country for its war with Russia.

He has previously said that he would “work something out” to end the conflict and suggested that Ukraine may have to give up some land to Russia.

Antoniw added: “We must stand with Ukraine now more than at any time. Please help us support Ukrainian people defend democracy!”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said Trump's victory represented a "backward step for women’s rights, global stability and the struggle against increasingly regressive forces in our politics".

"The need to strengthen ties with our neighbours in Europe is now more urgent than ever," he said, "as is the importance of ensuring that governments remain true to their word and listen to the voices of the most marginalised in society."