As the Trump era dawns in Washington, Canberra is holding its ground. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed his support for Kevin Rudd continuing in his role as Australia’s ambassador to the United States, brushing off rumblings of discontent emanating from the president-elect’s inner sanctum.
Standing By Their Man
The prime minister, currently attending the APEC summit in Peru, told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday that Rudd will remain the nation’s envoy in Washington regardless of any misgivings held by the incoming administration. “That’s what we’d expect,” Albanese stated unequivocally. “He’s Australia’s appointment.”
Albanese highlighted that dispatching a former prime minister to the role underscores the gravity Australia places on its relationship with the global superpower. “It says something about the importance of the United States that we have appointed a former prime minister. That’s a sign of how seriously we take this relationship, which is a relationship between our peoples based upon our common values.”
Navigating Rough Waters
The prime minister’s resolute stance comes amid swirling speculation that Rudd’s past criticisms of Donald Trump could strain his ability to effectively engage with key powerbrokers in the new Washington regime. In a 2021 interview, the then-former prime minister characterized Trump as “the village idiot” and “not a leading intellectual force.”
When pressed on whether Rudd should tender an apology for his previous remarks, Albanese demurred, keeping his sights set on the road ahead. “We’re focused on the future, and I’m sure President Trump will be as well, and that is the important thing.”
Building Bridges
Rather than dwell on perceived slights, Albanese opted to highlight Rudd’s track record of fostering connections on both sides of the aisle. “Ambassador Rudd has been working with people across the political spectrum. He attended both the Republican and the Democrat national conventions and engaged with people across the board,” the prime minister noted.
I know that he was in regular contact with the head of the Republican campaign committee as well, as well as the Democrats.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
In a separate interview with Sky News, Albanese characterized his congratulatory call with the president-elect as “very constructive and positive,” adding that Rudd’s name did not arise during their 10-minute conversation. The prime minister praised Rudd’s instrumental role in shepherding the AUKUS security pact through the US Congress, a testament to the extensive relationships he has cultivated in the halls of power.
Steadying the Ship
As the Trump transition team takes shape, unconfirmed reports suggest some key figures harbor lingering resentment over Rudd’s past barbs. However, Albanese’s unwavering support sends a clear signal that Canberra will not be cowed by Washington intrigue.
With Rudd at the helm of the embassy, Australia appears determined to navigate any diplomatic turbulence to keep this vital bilateral bond on an even keel. As the US political landscape shifts, the true test of the alliance lies ahead.
