As Donald Trump begins his second term as U.S. President, the Australian government faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act, particularly as the former president’s policies clash with positions supported by Australia’s Labor government.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have been cautious in their responses to a series of controversial moves by the Trump administration. Chief among these is Trump’s decision to redefine gender identity, limiting it to only “man” or “woman,” a policy that critics argue threatens transgender rights. When questioned about the policy, both Albanese and Wong declined to comment on the domestic implications for Australia.
“I’m not going to provide a running commentary on the internal politics of another country,”
Prime Minister Albanese said when asked about Trump’s stance on gender.
Similarly, Wong, in a radio interview, emphasised her role in advocating for Australia’s interests, stating, “I have a job to do here in Washington, and that is to advocate for Australia’s interests, our security interests and our economic interests.”
Despite the controversy surrounding Trump’s domestic agenda, the Australian government has refrained from offering a clear stance on gender identity. However, the official position from the Australian government remains that “gender is a social and cultural concept,” encompassing a range of identities including non-binary people. This stance contrasts with the more restrictive definition under Trump’s new policy.
The government has previously spoken out on human rights issues in countries like Afghanistan and China, but the diplomatic response to the U.S. shift on gender rights has been notably muted. Foreign Minister Wong reiterated the government’s approach, avoiding direct criticism of the Trump administration’s stance on issues such as climate change and gender identity.
The Australian government has also steered clear of commenting on Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, despite Australia’s strong commitment to the pact. Prime Minister Albanese, who has been a vocal advocate for climate action, confirmed that Australia would continue its commitment to fighting climate change but did not elaborate on how this would align with the U.S.’s shifting position under Trump’s leadership.
Former Australian Ambassador to the U.S., Arthur Sinodinos, noted that the Albanese government is likely to adopt a cautious approach early on, particularly in areas of policy where there are significant differences between the two nations, such as trade. Sinodinos said the government would need to carefully “determine the parameters” of its relationship with the Trump administration.
Despite the challenges, Prime Minister Albanese expressed optimism about Australia’s future engagement with the U.S., highlighting the strong economic, defence, and national security ties that underpin the relationship between the two countries. “I look forward to having a constructive engagement with him,” Albanese said after congratulating Trump on retaking office.
Concerns have been raised regarding Trump’s “America-first” trade policies, with fears that new tariffs could negatively impact global trade, including Australia’s economic interests. “President Trump has made it very clear he’s going to do things differently. He’s made it clear he’s going to implement an America-first agenda, and we should, I think, be realistic about that,” Senator Wong said.
The potential global impact of Trump’s presidency was highlighted by former U.S. Ambassador Joe Hockey, who warned that Trump’s economic policies—such as cutting taxes for corporations—could put Australia at a competitive disadvantage if similar measures aren’t adopted domestically. “He’s going to be off the leash, and it’s all going to unfold pretty quickly,” Hockey said in a recent interview.
Australia’s already fragile relationship with China could face further strain under Trump’s second term. Professor Dennis Altman from La Trobe University cautioned that Trump might use the AUKUS trilateral partnership as leverage to challenge Australia’s growing ties with China, which remains its largest trading partner.
As the Albanese government navigates these complex diplomatic waters, both sides of the aisle in Australia are watching closely, concerned about the economic and geopolitical ramifications of Trump’s policies. With tensions rising, Australia faces a pivotal moment in its relationship with the U.S. as it attempts to balance national interests with a rapidly changing global political landscape.
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