Rudd Makes Direct Contact with Trump, Despite Past Tensions

A Diplomatic Dance

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made direct contact with President-elect Donald Trump. This comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Rudd's future as ambassador to the United States, following Trump's threats to cut his tenure short.

Trump had previously criticized Rudd, calling him "nasty" and "not the brightest bulb" in response to tweets where Rudd labeled him a traitor and the most destructive president in history. However, since Trump's election victory, Rudd has deleted the offending tweets and worked to build relationships with the Trump administration and senior Republicans.

Albanese expressed confidence in Rudd's ability to successfully work with the new administration, highlighting his active efforts in developing relationships and the importance Australia places on the US relationship. He declined to confirm whether the interaction between Rudd and Trump occurred at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, stating that diplomatic engagement takes precedence over revealing specific details.

Rudd's role as ambassador is particularly significant given the current heightened sensitivity surrounding the AUKUS deal with the US and the UK to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. While Trump has yet to personally offer his support for the deal, Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for foreign affairs, has assured Australia of the administration's strong support.

Another key concern for Australia is the potential imposition of tariffs on imports by the Trump administration. Albanese hopes to maintain the current trade settings with the US and avoid these tariffs, which could significantly impact the Australian economy, especially as the country heads towards a federal election.

Rudd and Foreign Minister Penny Wong are scheduled to attend Trump's second inauguration next week. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has expressed concerns about the need to repair relationships with the Trump administration, citing past critical remarks made by both Wong and Rudd about Trump. He believes that addressing these issues should be a priority during their visit to Washington.