Former foreign minister Bob Carr says US is ‘not going back to normal’ as Trumpism sweeps the globe

Australia’s former foreign minister Bob Carr has weighed in on the current state of affairs concerning the US as Trumpism sweeps the globe.

Australia’s former foreign minister Bob Carr has weighed in on the current state of affairs concerning the US, as flare-ups over tariffs thrust our relationship with the superpower into the limelight.

Speaking on ABC’s 7.30, Mr Carr warned Australia had become complacent in assuming the strength of the ties between Canberra and Washington.

“We shouldn’t delude ourselves that America regards us as special,” he said.

“Poland, France, the UK and Israel above all see themselves as special.

“We delude ourselves if we think Australia has a special relationship with the US.

“Trump is simply confirming we don’t count for that much at all and we better adjust to that reality.”

“Australia has grown very lazy and the partnership with America has become the biggest part of our international character.

“We need to reduce that and become more nimble and a more powerful diplomatic presence (that) we’re entitled to, given our economic strength.”

Australia’s former foreign minister Bob Carr has weighed in on the current state of affairs concerning the US, as flare-ups over tariffs thrust our relationship with the superpower into the limelight.

Mr Carr said the world is now witnessing what the new brand of US diplomacy looks like, claiming the Trump administration is wilfully abandoning a sense of international community it once proudly led by upsetting the waters with long-held allies.

“This America is not going to go back to normal,” he continued.

“It’s not going to back to liberal internationalism.

“It’s not going to be the America we recognised providing leadership in the Cold War (being) proud of its alliance system.

“We should recognise this America is very brutal, very hard-headed and very self interested. And we should be the most courted girl on the block.”

‘Trump is simply confirming we don’t count for that much at all and we better adjust to that reality.’ (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)

Mr Carr says AUKUS is “fading fast” and urged Australia to be proactive in this particularly tense moment in history.

“I don’t think we should have retaliatory tariffs directed at America. But I do think it’s an opportunity to begin to explore with the French the alternative to AUKUS.

“Because it’s now accepted wisdom that in the early 2030s, America won’t be building enough Virigina-class submarines to peel off three to five and give them to us.

“I think that, given the inevitability, we’re entitled to say we’re reopening discussions with the French about getting lethal and affordable submarines that would make this country untouchable.

“The Turnbull deal had a lot going for it. AUKUS is just too complex and is fading fast.”