‘Do things differently’: Albanese government stresses US trade surplus as Donald Trump sworn in

The Albanese government is stressing the US’s $23bn trade surplus with Australia as Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Mr Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday (local time), officially taking the reins from Joe Biden.

Uncertainty has been swirling in capitals of the US’s closest allies since Mr Trump’s historic second White House win in November last year.

With promises to hike tariffs on foreign imports and cut back global defence commitments, leaders have been left unsure where their countries fit into his America-first agenda.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is in Washington for the inauguration, undertook a morning show blitz on Tuesday to spruik trans-Pacific ties.

She said Mr Trump “made it clear he’s going to do things differently”.

“My message here in Washington to those I meet is to point out the reality of the

economic relationship between Australia and the United States, that there is a surplus in America’s favour,” Senator Wong told Nine’s Today.

“There has been for decades. In fact, it’s about two to one. And of those exports from Australia that come here, about half of them go into the US production.

“So it’s an economic relationship which is of great benefit to the United States.

“And certainly those stats … will be something I’ll keep saying to those I meet when it comes to the very positive trade relationship we have between our two countries.”

Mr Trump’s criticism of NATO and other major multilateral institutions has sparked concerns he could withdraw the US from key international commitments.

Though, most of his criticisms stem from what he views as countries not paying their fair share.

Senator Wong is set to meet her new US counterpart, Marco Rubio, on Wednesday.

Mr Rubio last week praised AUKUS, the three-way security pact between Australia, the UK and the US, as “almost a blueprint” for how the US can work with allies.

Senator Wong said she “was really pleased to see those comments made”.

“He talked about this being an example of how you can make sure alliances and partnership expand our collective strength in support of peace and deterrence,” she said.

She added that Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd had been “central” to forging relations with Mr Trump’s administration, including getting her invited to the inauguration.

Mr Rudd’s past criticisms of the Mr Trump sparked questions about his viability as Australia’s top envoy in Washington.

He has said Mr Trump was a “village idiot”, “nuts”, the “most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West”.

Mr Trump has called Mr Rudd “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb”.

“He’s been central to the opportunity I have to meet with the national security adviser and the secretary of state, and he’s been central to the bipartisan support for AUKUS that we have seen,” Senator Wong said.

“So, Kevin has been doing an excellent job, and he’s certainly developed very strong relationships across the aisle with both Republicans and Democrats to the benefit of our country.”

‘Perfect relationship’

Anthony Albanese has congratulated Mr Trump on his inauguration.

Taking to X, the Prime Minister said Australia’s relations with the US “has never been stronger”.

“The United States is a great friend of Australia’s,” Mr Albanese said.

“Our alliance has never been stronger. I look forward to working with you on the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

On Monday night, he also brushed off concerns about his government’s position to deal the new US administration ahead of Mr Trump’s inauguration.

Mr Albanese said on Monday night that Mr Trump had told him Australia and the US would have a “perfect relationship”.

“I made the point that the United States has enjoyed a trade surplus with Australia since the Truman presidency,” Mr Albanese told the ABC’s 7.30.

“It has been there for a long time. The United States is a major investor here in Australia and the relationship between our two economies is so important.

“I’m very confident that we will work these issues through because they’re in the interests of both Australia and the United States.

“He said that we will have a ‘perfect relationship’.”