In initial deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index shed 1.87 per cent to 6,718.85 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 dived 2.9 per cent to 10,181.89 points and the Paris CAC 40 index slid 2.8 per cent to 4,350.07 compared with yesterday's close.
Markets however quickly retraced ground within fifteen minutes of the open, with London standing just 0.50 percent lower at 0820 GMT.
The Amsterdam AEX stocks index tanked briefly by 3.09 per cent on opening, but rallied to stand at 1.59 per cent lower at 443,02 points.
"This is another black swan for European stocks -- despite Brexit, markets were still not prepared for a Trump win and stocks will bear the biggest brunt of it," City Index analyst Ken Odeluga told AFP.
More From This Section
"It is a long-term negative for global growth because of the protectionist instincts of President Donald Trump.
"Global trade will be curbed and the biggest multinationals face challenges to revenue growth as the expansion of globalisation itself comes into question."
Meanwhile, returns on German government bonds -- seen as a safe haven during market turbulence -- fell sharply as investors rushed to purchase the assets.