The current US-Australia strategic relationship requires an enemy – a “common danger”. As a result, Australia doesn’t seek cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, it arms itself instead.
While some aspects of Australian public policy have taken inspiration from Trump - our relationship with China among them - in reality the former US president had little impact on our political life.
The word ‘values’ was seldom used in Australian diplomacy in recent decades, but has slowly become more prevalent as Canberra has sought to counter China’s influence in the region.
Marise Payne and Linda Reynolds at the 2019 AUSMIN talks.
AAP/Bianca di Marchi
The ministers have written of their desire to “find every possible way to advance shared interests”. But this should stop short of following the US down its hostile path with China.
Donald Trump and Scott Morrison at the opening of billionaire Anthony Pratt’s paper factory Ohio, which looked like a rally for Trump.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
During his week in the United States, the PM tied himself to Trump to a remarkable degree. Though, the Washington days were better than later appearances, which saw Morrison open the China debate.
In his address on foreign policy in Chicago, Morrison said China needed to reflect its new status as a developed country in its trade arrangements and meeting environmental challenges.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Anthony Albanese has attacked Scott Morrison for sending a message to Beijing while in the United State, opening a partisan rift at a time when Australia-China relations are at a low point.
Parkinson said Australia would need to use all its advantages, like its multicultural and merit-based society, to sustain its prosperity and security in the future.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Backbencher Andrew Hastie’s recent opinion piece has caused ructions within the government, but Scott Morrison needs to articulate a clear policy on China that also allows for dissenting voices.
There are multiple scenarios where relations between the US and China end up in a very bad place, and not too many where they turn out well.
Roman Pilipey/EPA
It is impossible to know for sure what a Trump presidency would be like. But there are sensible reasons to suspect it could be disastrous – not only for the US but also for Australia.