Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulated Donald Trump on the election win. But he also warns that the election results may entail several major risks for Sweden.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a press conference on the occasion of the election in the USA. Photo: Jakob Åkersten Brodén / TT
It is important for Sweden to be able to cooperate with the president and the administration that now takes office, said Ulf Kristersson.
He sees nothing immediately positive for Sweden with Donald Trump becoming the next president of the United States. However, he sees several risks. It is primarily about security, trade and the climate.
For Sweden, developed free trade is crucial, says the prime minister.
There is an obvious risk of increased economic protectionism. It is a risk that means a lot for a country as dependent on exports and trade as Sweden, says Ulf Kristersson.
In his speech he returned several times to the importance of the US continuing to support Ukraine. The US is the single largest military contributor to Ukraine and Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether the US will continue with the same support.
There is no issue that has the same existential significance for countries in our part of the world as Ukraine, he said.
The prime minister said that the government will now establish contacts with the new administration.
The relationship between Sweden and the USA has been good under different administrations. I look forward to having a good relationship with the US even during the incoming Trump administration.
Sweden Democrats party leader Jimmie Åkesson wrote in a post on Facebook that the election of Trump is "A message of strength from the West."
He points out that SD has not taken a stand for any candidate, but that the voters have now had their say.
Sweden and Europe, together with the United States, face common security threats in the form of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. We need to address that with strength. The support to both Ukraine and Israel needs to be robust and in the future strengthened, he wrote.
Magdalena Andersson told DN that it is important that Sweden and Europe immediately start work to establish contacts with those who can become central players in the American administration.
It is about convincing the new administration that it is in their interest that we have a strong NATO, that Europe is safe and secure, that support for Ukraine continues and that it is in the interest of the Americans that we can continue to have good trade relations, said Magdalena Andersson.
Magdalena Andersson says that Europe must gather after Donald Trump's expected election victory. Photo: Ali Lorestani
She had hoped that Kamala Harris would have won the election.
It is clear that there are many in Sweden and Europe who would have liked a different election result and that they would have felt significantly safer with a different election result. Now it's about dealing with this situation. Europe has managed to deal with Trump once before, we have dealt with Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine. This is why it is important that Europe is able to come together, says Magdalena Andersson.
Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard (M). Photo: Martin Svensson
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) emphasizes in a written comment to DN that cooperation with the USA is important for Sweden and that it will continue to be so - not least in the area of security policy and trade policy. At the same time, she states that there are some question marks, not least the support for Ukraine.
Sweden will continue to work for strong support in Europe, the USA and the rest of the world. Another is trade, where both presidential candidates have expressed protectionism. Sweden is a small export-dependent country and we will continue to work for free trade.
The Green Party's spokeswoman Amanda Lind describes the election of Trump as "very serious".
Not least for the environment and climate. He wants to take the US out of the Paris Agreement and has promised to dismantle climate policy. It places high demands on Sweden and the EU, she said.
The Green Party's spokeswoman Amanda Lind. Photo: Ali Lorestani
She also said that she is concerned about the support for Ukraine, as well as women's rights.
The election of Trump is also a heavy blow to women's rights and the right to abortion.
Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar is disappointed with the result - she also mentions women's rights and climate policy as reasons for it.
It was a sad election result that will worsen development in the world, she said.
Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok believes that the election results will provide a tougher starting point for Europe.
Not least when we have to deal with the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine. I am also badly affected by many of Trump's statements regarding women's freedom and rights, he wrote to DN.
The Liberals' party leader Johan Pehrson wrote in X that Sweden's cooperation with the United States should continue to be strong. Ebba Busch has also congratulated Trump on the win.
Source: Dagens Nyheter
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