Donald Trump would win another presidential election, says Joe Hockey

AUSTRALIA’S ambassador to the United States has given a ringing endorsement of Donald Trump, but admits he’s not changing America.

DONALD Trump would win another presidential election if one were to be held today, says Australia’s ambassador to the United States.

Joe Hockey told the Lowy Institute on Thursday, in a speech marking the first anniversary of the Trump administration, there was strong evidence to suggest American voters did not regret putting the billionaire businessman in the White House.

The former Australian treasurer said Trump had restored confidence in the US economy and America’s “destiny” at a time when others were predicting an end to American exceptionalism.

Mr Hockey pointed to presidential action such as cutting business regulation and influencing public policy through new appointments to the federal judiciary as signs of Trump’s effectiveness.

The recently-flagged recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and striking a deal with Democratic leadership to raise the debt ceiling were examples of Trump “learning how to use the power of the office to reshape policy”.

Australia's Ambassador to the United States, Joe Hockey.

“In my view, for various reasons, if the presidential election were held again today Donald Trump would win,” Mr Hockey said.

He said the US president was “not changing America — he is responding to some of their demands”.

Australia’s response should be to focus on issues of importance to the Trump Administration, Mr Hockey said.

These ranged from tax reform to North Korea and from trade deals to infrastructure.

“This is what the American people are interested in. Moreover Americans tend to listen to their mates. Especially when those mates are speaking about shared interests,” Mr Hockey said.

While the relationship with the US under Trump was no longer “business as usual”, Australia and America shared an unwavering determination to defend freedom and protect democracy.

Originally published as Donald Trump would win another presidential election, says Joe Hockey