Wales’s First Minister Anticipates Continued Strong Ties with US Under Trump

Wales’s first minister has extended congratulations to Donald Trump following his success in the US election. Eluned Morgan stated that Wales and the United States share a “strong relationship” and expressed anticipation for its ongoing continuation. Andrew RT Davies, who leads the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, commended Trump, while Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru characterized his victory as a “backward step.” Mick Antoniw, a former Welsh government cabinet member, labeled it a “threat to the rule of law and democracy.” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer offered his congratulations to Trump, stating, “I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.” Via a statement posted on X, previously known as Twitter, Morgan conveyed: “Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump.” She added: “Wales and the USA have a strong relationship which we highly value.” And further stated: “We look forward to continuing that partnership for the benefit of all our people.” Data released by the Welsh government indicates that in 2023, the USA represented the most valuable market for Welsh products, contributing £2.9bn (15.1%) of total exports. This proportion marked a decrease from 16.6% recorded in 2022. Earlier in 2017, nine months prior to her appointment as a Welsh government minister, Morgan had expressed less diplomatic views regarding Trump, referring to him as “off the scale crazy” during a BBC Wales interview. On Tuesday, Morgan commented that the results of the US election would exert “a profound effect on Wales and the world,” and she articulated her hope that individuals in the United States “understand their responsibilities” concerning the environment. While she did not explicitly name either candidate, her statements are likely to be interpreted as referring to Trump. He has previously made seemingly inconsistent remarks on climate change, including once labeling it a “hoax.” The first minister was responding to inquiries in the Senedd concerning Welsh government policies addressing climate and nature emergencies. On Wednesday, Andrew RT Davies, the Conservative Welsh parliamentary leader, commended Trump’s electoral success overnight, telling BBC Wales: “What a comeback!” He further stated: “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 also remarked that Trump now possesses 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.” Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to implement tariffs—a type of tax—on goods imported into the US. When questioned about the potential implications for Welsh exporters, Davies advised that businesses in Wales should not be “fearful” but rather “excited” by the prospect of “increasing more opportunities in America.” Concurrently, Morgan Griffith—who secured re-election as the Republican representative for Virginia’s 9th District in the House of Representatives and established the Friends of Wales Caucus in Congress—expressed his certainty that the “special relationship” between Wales and the US endures. He informed BBC Radio Wales Drive: “We have a common heritage, we believe in many of the same principles and that binds us together.” He continued: “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.” Mick Antoniw, a former Welsh government minister, characterized Trump’s win as a “boost for Russian Fascism and Putin, a threat to rule of law and democracy.” Antoniw, a Senedd member for Pontypridd, has relatives in Ukraine and frequently undertakes aid trips to the country. Apprehensions exist that the United States, under Trump’s leadership, may reduce military assistance to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. Trump has previously indicated that he would “work something out” to resolve the conflict and implied that Ukraine might need to cede territory to Russia. Antoniw further stated: “We must stand with Ukraine now more than at any time. Please help us support Ukrainian people defend democracy!” Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, asserted that Trump’s triumph signified a “backward step for women’s rights, global stability and the struggle against increasingly regressive forces in our politics.” He added: “The need to strengthen ties with our neighbours in Europe is now more urgent than ever,” and emphasized “as is the importance of ensuring that governments remain true to their word and listen to the voices of the most marginalised in society.”