Getting things right with Trump a priority ambition

Donald Trump’s inauguration next week will be an epochal event of immense importance to Australia. The change of management in the White House after four years of Joe Biden could not be of greater significance for the relationship with our most vital ally, the US, as Mr Trump resumes leadership of the free world. Whether, given that reality and the demands of our national interest, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and US ambassador and former prime minister Kevin Rudd – both of whom have made highly disparaging remarks in the past about Mr Trump that they now doubtless would rather forget – are best suited to serving as Australia’s representatives at the inauguration is, however, moot.

Since Mr Trump won the US election in November, both have sought to divert attention away from their earlier characterisations of the president-elect. In 2021 Senator Wong denounced Mr Trump as someone “prepared to trash alliances and partnerships” for personal ambition. Last weekend, in announcing her attendance as Australia’s main envoy at the inauguration, she spoke of her “honour” at being invited and how she was looking forward to meeting members of the Trump cabinet.

In Washington, Mr Rudd similarly has been keen to present a different face. He has deleted comments from his social media that labelled Mr Trump “the most destructive president in history” and called him “a village idiot”, “incoherent” and a “traitor”. Unfortunately for Mr Rudd, however, Dan Scavino – Mr Trump’s closest aide for many years, who will be his deputy chief of staff in the new White House – has indicated he is disinclined to forgive and forget. Responding to a message from Mr Rudd congratulating Mr Trump on his election victory, Mr Scavino posted a GIF on social media showing an hourglass with sand running out, implying uncertainty about Mr Rudd’s future.

It is unlikely Senator Wong and Mr Rudd are alone among foreign officials who now wish they had not said what they did about Mr Trump. And it is vital that their joint roles as Australia’s special envoys at the inauguration do not spoil what must be our main aim with the advent of the new administration in Washington, and that is to get as close as possible to Mr Trump and his people, and to enhance and expand ties that will strengthen further our most important bilateral relationship. Anthony Albanese was dismissive in 2024 when it was suggested it would be a good idea for him to meet Mr Trump before the president’s swearing-in (as many world leaders have made a point of doing), and he has elected not to attend the inauguration. The Prime Minister reportedly has made an informal offer for Mr Trump to visit Australia but, as our former US ambassador Joe Hockey has suggested, to invite Mr Trump to undertake a state visit here may be more productive.

Mr Hockey’s is a commendable idea that should be pursued energetically by the Albanese government. It has been suggested that a Quad summit expected to take place later in 2025 could be the opportunity for a meeting between Mr Albanese (assuming he is still Prime Minister) and Mr Trump. But the critical importance of the bilateral relationship to both our nations at a time of escalating global strategic challenge from China and Russia, and their allies, including Iran, demands action sooner than a Quad summit at some uncertain future date.

As Mr Trump’s previous term showed, nothing is more certain than the uncertainty that surrounds the president-elect’s unique style of government. As much as that presents challenges, it also presents enormous opportunities for Australia to ensure the new administration’s support for crucial issues such as the AUKUS deal and the security of the Indo-Pacific that is so critical to the future of our region.

A state visit to Australia by Mr Trump – whether our prime minister be Mr Albanese or Peter Dutton – would be a great way to start the next four years of what is our most crucial bilateral relationship. Senator Wong and Mr Rudd, in attending the inauguration as Australia’s main representatives, must do everything they can to achieve that goal – whatever Mr Scavino’s hourglass misgivings may be.