Ambassador Kevin Rudd declares ‘we’re ready’ for a second Trump presidency

Australia’s envoy to the US says in a world of ‘many challenges’ Canberra welcomes an active and engaged US in the Indo Pacific and is ready to deepen that regional engagement under Donald Trump | WATCH

In his first detailed public comments since Donald Trump’s election, Kevin Rudd has portrayed Australia as an ally that was willing to actively pursue closer ties with the new US administration.

Kevin Rudd has declared Australia ‘is ready’ to work closely with Donald Trump and his new administration to bolster an alliance which has never been more important or relevant.

Australia’s ambassador in Washington said that in a world of ‘many challenges’ Australia welcomed an active and engaged United States in the Indo Pacific and was ready to deepen that regional engagement under the new president.

In his first detailed public comments since Mr Trump’s election, Mr Rudd portrayed Australia as an ally that was willing to actively pursue closer ties with the new US administration and to be seen to be proactively contributing to the broader alliance.

“We live in a world of many challenges, and we are clear that the region we want, the interests we have and the values we share require and call for our two nations to work together, and that is what we’ll continue to do with President Trump and his incoming administration,’ Mr Rudd told the United States Studies Centre’s International Strategic Forum in Sydney via video from Washington.

Mr Rudd, who has been forging contacts with senior Republicans across the US over the past year said his embassy was well prepared to engage positively with the incoming administration.

“Here at the embassy, we’ve been working hard through the course of the last year to ensure that we were well prepared for this moment, and the bottom line is we’re ready,’ he said. “The team here at the Embassy and the government of Australia are ready to work closely with the new Trump administration to continue to realise the benefits of what is a very strong economic and security partnership.’

Both sides of politics have strongly backed Mr Rudd’s ongoing tenure as ambassador, dismissing claims by critics that Mr Rudd’s previous critical comments about Mr Trump before he became the ambassador should disqualify him from continuing in the role.

Mr Rudd’s message to the famously transactional new president was that Australia would enhance the value of an already strong alliance through the development of the AUKUS submarine deal, which he described as ‘a great venture.’

“The fundamental value of Aukus for all three parties is that it makes all three countries stronger than we would have been without. It strengthens all three countries’ ability to deter threats, and it grows the defence industrial base and creates jobs in all three countries,’ he said.

In a clear message to the incoming president, he portrayed Aukus, and Australia’s commitment to invest more than $3 billion into the production cycle for US Virginia-class submarines, as an example of Australia’s willingness to be a proactive contributor to the alliance.

“Australia’s plans to purchase nuclear power submarines from the United States will represent a large-scale purchase from American industry. That’s a significant defence deal,’ he said. “And on top of that, we’re already investing into the US submarine industrial base to expand the capacity of their shipyards. Put these things together, and it represents a strong, positive message for America, one that shows Australia is a valuable and committed, Frank ally and partner.”

Mr Rudd made no mention of China but said that in a world of ‘many challenges’ that “Australia’s close relationship with the United States has never been more relevant or more important.” He paid tribute to America’s role in maintaining stability in the Indo Pacific by remaining actively engaged in the region, militarily, economically and diplomatically. He praised “The strong and enduring contribution of the United States to the stability and prosperity of the wider Indo Pacific region.’

“We know that regional balance is best maintained when we work together in ways that also enhance our combined capabilities. So we welcome the US deepening its engagement with Indo Pacific partners and allies, and will continue working together to promote peace and security,’ Mr Rudd said.

“The election of the president of the United States is an important moment for the world. It’s important for our region. It’s important for Australia.”