Dutton warns against ‘literal interpretations’ of Donald Trump’s ‘every word’

The man vying to yank the reins of power from Anthony Albanese has revealed how he would navigate Australia’s relationship with the Trump White House.

People should not “make the mistake” of taking Donald Trump literally and focus on his results, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says.

Canberra’s relationship with Washington has come under a microscope after the US President slapped brutal blanket tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium “without exemptions or exceptions”.

He did so shortly after giving Anthony Albanese assurances a carve out for Australia was “under consideration”.

While Mr Dutton has sought to project a “bipartisan position” opposing the levies, he has long-claimed he would do better than the Prime Minister at navigating the twists and turns of a Trump White House.

He has even faced claims of trying to emulate Mr Trump’s rhetoric in recent months.

But speaking to Nine’s 60 Minutes, Mr Dutton denied his approach would involve bowing down to the US leader.

Canberra’s relationship with Washington has come under a microscope after the US President slapped brutal blanket tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium ‘without exemptions or exceptions’. Picture: NewsWire / Jim Watson / POOL / AFP

“I think I’ve demonstrated that I’m prepared to make the tough decisions and make the decisions that are in our country’s best interests, and that will include on the world stage as it is here,” he said in a segment that aired on Sunday.

Pressed on what issues he would stand up to Mr Trump on, he said: “I think in relation to the tariffs, I think they’re damaging the relationship if they stay in place and not in our interest and not in the United States’ interests.”

But tariffs are just one of several major foreign policy shake ups that have sparked concern in capitals across the West.

Mr Trump dumped decades of shared policy when he said the US would take “ownership” of war-torn Gaza and forcibly resettle the 2.1 million Palestinians who live there.

In response to Mr Trump’s proposal to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, the Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution, giving Palestinians a state within internationally recognised borders.

Though, Mr Dutton has refused to rule out backing the idea, originally saying he needed more detail.

In Sunday’s interview, he took a slightly looser stance.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has warned people ‘shouldn’t be taking a literal interpretation of every word’ US President Donald Trump says. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“What he said in recent days is that he wants peace and stability on the Gaza Strip, and across the Middle East,” Mr Dutton said.

“We all want that. The United Nations wants that.”

Pressed on whether people wanted a “US occupation”, he said: “Well, I think if you look at what the President said, I think one of the things that we need to bear in mind with President Trump is that we shouldn’t be taking a literal interpretation of every word that’s said.”

He clarified that there was a “nuance” to how Mr Trump communicated.

“The President’s a deal-maker,” Mr Dutton said.

“He’s a thinker, he brings people together … the transaction has been his life.”

He added that no other president had “conducted themselves in this way”.

“So it, it’ll take time to, to recalibrate,” Mr Dutton said.

Originally published as Dutton warns against ‘literal interpretations’ of Donald Trump’s ‘every word’