Foreign Minister Wong to Meet Secretary of State Rubio. Anthony Albanese’s Australian Labor government has moved to shore up relations with Donald Trump, with Australia ambassador to the US and former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd working to smooth over tensions with the new president. While Foreign Minister Penny Wong prepares to meet Trump-appointed secretary of state Marco Rubio.
As the Sydney Morning Herald reported on its front page today. On the eve of Trump’s inauguration, Wong, in Washington to attend the historic event, said the Canberra government looked eager to cooperate with the incoming administration “to enhance our shared economic and security interest.”
Noting that “every new president marks a day of profound significance for the world”, she said China, trade and the AUKUS trilateral security pact between Australia. The UK and the US to build and deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific would be on the agenda. When she meets Rubio and other members of Congress during her visit.
Rudd, who has been heavily involved in fostering strong relations with both political parties in Canberra. Since taking office as ambassador to Washington. Also met briefly with Trump at the West Palm Beach International Golf Course in Florida.
Last year, Trump discovered that Rudd had labeled him as a “traitor to the West” in previous remarks. Casting doubt on the former PM’s future in Washington . And, in a conversation with then-Britain Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, “the most destructive president in history”.
The push to curry favor with Trump comes at a critical time for Australia. Which is locked in a $365 billion military pact with the US and UK in the form of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal.https://youtu.be/wSToEtAt8Lw?si=gll-KOh570435Zq3