President Donald Trump salutes during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol building in Washington. AP / Bloomberg
President Donald Trump salutes during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol building in Washington. AP / Bloomberg
President Donald Trump salutes during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol building in Washington. AP / Bloomberg
President Donald Trump salutes during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol building in Washington. AP / Bloomberg

World leaders congratulate Donald Trump as he takes office


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Live updates: Follow the latest on Donald Trump’s inauguration

Leaders from around the world congratulated new US President Donald Trump on Monday as he officially took office. Middle East leaders including UAE President Sheikh Mohamed wished Mr Trump and his administration well after the inauguration.

"I wish him and his administration success and I look forward to working with him to further advance UAE-US strategic relations and promote regional peace and stability," Sheikh Mohamed wrote in a post on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sent his congratulations, saying that Mr Trump's first presidency included "groundbreaking moments in the history of the great alliance between our two countries", citing the Abraham Accords and withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.

"On behalf of the people of Israel, I also want to thank you for your efforts in helping free Israeli hostages. I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas' military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel," Mr Netanyahu said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a message to Mr Trump carried by the news agency Wafa, saying: "We stand ready to work with you to achieve peace during your tenure, guided by the two-state solution based on international legitimacy. This vision seeks the establishment of the state of Palestine and the state of Israel living side by side in peace and security.”

  • Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
    Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Mr Trump takes part in a signing ceremony in the President's Room at the US Capitol. AP
    Mr Trump takes part in a signing ceremony in the President's Room at the US Capitol. AP
  • Pro-Trump supporters gather at the National Mall in Washington. AFP
    Pro-Trump supporters gather at the National Mall in Washington. AFP
  • Mr Trump speaks from Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol. AP
    Mr Trump speaks from Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol. AP
  • Supporters of Mr Trump celebrate in Miami, Florida. AFP
    Supporters of Mr Trump celebrate in Miami, Florida. AFP
  • Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington. AFP
    Elon Musk arrives to speak during an inauguration event at Capital One Arena in Washington. AFP
  • Mr Trump speaks in the Rotunda as his second presidency begins in Washington. AP
    Mr Trump speaks in the Rotunda as his second presidency begins in Washington. AP
  • Mr Trump with his family in the Rotunda immediately after taking the oath of office. AP
    Mr Trump with his family in the Rotunda immediately after taking the oath of office. AP
  • Mr Trump enters the Rotunda to a fanfare before his inauguration as the 47th President of the US. AFP
    Mr Trump enters the Rotunda to a fanfare before his inauguration as the 47th President of the US. AFP
  • Guests attend the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol. AFP
    Guests attend the inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol. AFP
  • Mr Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance arrive in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
    Mr Trump and vice president-elect JD Vance arrive in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Former US president Barack Obama in the Rotunda. Bloomberg
    Former US president Barack Obama in the Rotunda. Bloomberg
  • US President Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Mr Trump leave the White House for the US Capitol in Washington. AFP
    US President Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Mr Trump leave the White House for the US Capitol in Washington. AFP
  • Former US presidents George W Bush, left, and Bill Clinton arrive. Reuters
    Former US presidents George W Bush, left, and Bill Clinton arrive. Reuters
  • Mr Musk, centre, arrives at the US Capitol in Washington. EPA
    Mr Musk, centre, arrives at the US Capitol in Washington. EPA
  • Mr Trump and wife Melania are greeted by President Joe Biden and his wife Jill on their arrival at the White House. AP
    Mr Trump and wife Melania are greeted by President Joe Biden and his wife Jill on their arrival at the White House. AP
  • Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff greet vice president-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance as they arrive at the White House. AFP
    Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff greet vice president-elect JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance as they arrive at the White House. AFP
  • A Trump supporter poses for a picture inside Capital One arena. Reuters
    A Trump supporter poses for a picture inside Capital One arena. Reuters
  • President-elect Donald Trump arrives for mass at St John's Church in Washington before the 60th presidential inauguration. Bloomberg
    President-elect Donald Trump arrives for mass at St John's Church in Washington before the 60th presidential inauguration. Bloomberg
  • Staff prepare for the inauguration in the US Capitol. AFP
    Staff prepare for the inauguration in the US Capitol. AFP
  • Mr Trump and his wife Melania arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church. Reuters
    Mr Trump and his wife Melania arrive for a service at St John's Episcopal Church. Reuters
  • Guests begin to arrive for the relocated parade at the Capitol One Arena in Washington. EPA
    Guests begin to arrive for the relocated parade at the Capitol One Arena in Washington. EPA
  • Mr Trump speaks with vice president-elect JD Vance during a church service at St John's. AFP
    Mr Trump speaks with vice president-elect JD Vance during a church service at St John's. AFP
  • Ivanka Trump, daughter of Mr Trump, arrives with her family for the church service. AFP
    Ivanka Trump, daughter of Mr Trump, arrives with her family for the church service. AFP
  • Supporters from Arkansas make their way through the line at Capital One Arena. AFP
    Supporters from Arkansas make their way through the line at Capital One Arena. AFP

King Abdullah II of Jordan wished Mr Trump "every success as he commences his second term".

"Congratulations on your inauguration, Mr President. We greatly value our partnership with the United States and are committed to working with you towards a more prosperous and peaceful world," he said in a post on X.

In Europe, Mr Trump's inauguration was also met with congratulations. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The special relationship between the UK and the US will continue to flourish for years to come."

In a rare move, Mr Trump extended invitations to several current and former world leaders, one of them being former conservative UK prime minister Boris Johnson.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "The US is our closest ally and the aim of our policy is always a good transatlantic relationship."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that Mr Trump "is always decisive, and the peace-through-strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority".

Before the inauguration, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his own congratulations, saying: "Moscow is open for dialogue with the United States that will be built on an equal and mutually respectful basis."

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mr Trump on his "historic" inauguration, saying he looked forward "to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world".

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he also looks forward to working with Mr Trump to strengthen the "enduring Pakistan-US partnership".

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

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Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.

When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.

How do I nominate someone? Through the website.

When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.

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Updated: January 20, 2025, 9:02 PM