Attention has shifted to Ambassador Kevin Rudd, whose past criticism of Trump continues to cause friction and could affect how Australia is received by the current US administration.
This diplomatic challenge comes at a crucial time. Trump's return to office has revived old grievances, particularly around Rudd's past social media posts. These posts, which criticised Trump during his first term, have not been forgotten by those close to the former president. The traditionally strong US-Australia relationship is now navigating awkward terrain due to lingering diplomatic baggage and the absence of a direct meeting between the two leaders.
Since starting his role as ambassador in March 2023, Rudd has been active in Washington. He attends high-level meetings, builds relationships with lawmakers and promotes Australia's strategic interests. These include support for AUKUS legislation and enhanced cooperation on supply chain resilience. Despite these efforts, some figures in the administration remain cautious due to Rudd's political history and prior commentary, making informal diplomacy more complicated.
One major difficulty is the changed structure within the Trump White House. Compared to his first term, the environment is now more chaotic and inward-looking. Key positions remain unfilled and traditional diplomatic processes have been replaced by a focus on direct, transactional engagement. Trump values deals, personal engagement and absolute loyalty, none of which have been strongly cultivated by Canberra in recent months.
The lack of a personal meeting between Trump and Albanese since Trump's re-election is increasingly notable, especially given that leaders from other countries, including those whose governments previously criticised Trump, have secured face-to-face time. While the Albanese government initially stepped back from close engagement for domestic political reasons, the ongoing delay now risks being perceived as detachment or hesitation by Washington.
Rudd continues to work behind the scenes. He has focused on strengthening ties with Congress, hosted investor-focused events and promoted Australia's resources and superannuation strengths to US stakeholders. His efforts have contributed to pushing back against US policy changes that threatened Australian financial interests, including reversing proposed tax measures that would have imposed unfair penalties.
Despite this, questions remain about whether ongoing tensions can be resolved through diplomacy. Some critics argue that while Rudd’s efforts have been detailed and consistent, Canberra's approach at a senior diplomatic level has been slower compared to other partners. In the UK, for example, leaders such as Keir Starmer have already set a new tone in relations with Trump, raising doubts over whether Australia has been too cautious at a time that may call for stronger engagement.
The larger issue now is whether Rudd's past statements carry more influence than his current work or if the government's delayed outreach has caused more damage than any criticisms made in the past. As international alliances continue to shift and Trump reasserts his presence, Australia faces a critical diplomatic balancing act that may soon demand a recalibrated approach.
