Kevin Rudd, the Australian ambassador in Washington, retracted remarks he had issued regarding Donald Trump following the Republican’s victory in the election, clarifying on Thursday that they did not represent the official stance of the Australian government. The former prime minister had initially expressed his views on Trump while serving as the director of a U.S.-based think tank, according to a statement on his private website.
Rudd’s 2020 remark labeling Trump as “the most destructive president in history” was one of the comments that got removed.
The comment mentioned that Ambassador Rudd had taken down his previous remarks from his personal website and social media platforms, as a gesture of respect towards the position of the President of the United States following the election of President Trump.
The statement included Rudd’s intention to avoid any misunderstanding that could link the comments to his role as Ambassador and potentially reflect the Australian Government’s standpoint.
Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, expressed on Thursday that the center-left government under the leadership of Anthony Albanese is assured of its partnership with the United States, its prime security ally. This includes the AUKUS agreement, through which Australia will procure nuclear-powered submarines from the United States in the upcoming decade.
During radio and television interviews on Thursday, Wong disclosed that she had discussions with Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state under the Trump administration, regarding bipartisan backing for AUKUS.
She emphasized on the Today programme that the United States is our primary ally in terms of strategy. She highlighted the shared and unequivocal strategic goals between the two nations. Both countries strive for a stable and peaceful region, with bipartisan backing for AUKUS as a crucial component of this vision.
In response to Rudd’s remarks during a British TV interview in March, Trump characterized Rudd as “not the sharpest tool in the shed” and “unpleasant”.
Trump remarked that if that were indeed the situation, he wouldn’t stay there for an extended period.
Wong expressed her support for Rudd’s capability to collaborate with a Republican government.
Until 2023, Rudd held the position of CEO at the Asia Society think tank in New York before being assigned as an ambassador.
