Albanese government hits back at critics who say Kevin Rudd could endanger our relationship with United States

Whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden is the next US president, Australia will continue to work with the US regardless, deputy prime minister says.

Australia is willing to work with the United States regardless of who Americans vote for in the presidential election, the deputy prime minister says.

Questions are raised about the future of US-Australia relations after former Republican president and second-term presidential hopeful Donald Trump called the government’s US ambassador, Kevin Rudd, “a bit nasty” and warned that “I wouldn’t be there for long.”

The former prime minister called Trump “the most destructive president in history” before being named Australia’s man in Washington.

As opinion polls point to the possibility of a second Trump presidency and the end of President Joe Biden’s term in November, critics say Dr Rudd’s embassy could jeopardize the alliance and key US agreements. and Australia.

But Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says the government and Dr Rudd will be able to work across the American political spectrum.

“We are confident that regardless of the outcome in November, the relationship between our two countries will be strong,” he told ABC Insiders on Sunday.

“We work very closely with the Biden administration, as we will work closely with the current administration in the United States at any time, and that is where our efforts are.”

The Australian government worked with the Trump administration under the embassy of Arthur Sinodinos and former treasurer Joe Hockey, but Dr Rudd has not operated under the same leadership.

There are also fears that a second Trump presidency could lead the United States to renege on the trilateral security alliance between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, also known as AUKUS.

But Marles says there is “no reason” to believe a Trump administration would not support the deal.

“You need support from across the political spectrum in the United States to get things done, and that’s what we’ve done in terms of AUKUS,” he said.

In December, the US Congress passed legislation allowing for substantial provisions for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program.

The government has attributed the deal’s success to Dr Rudd’s dealings with the Democratic-Republican divide.

“We have a sense of confidence in support across the spectrum because it makes strategic sense for the United States,” Mr. Marles said.