The Australian government has backed its ambassador to Washington, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, after Donald Trump described the diplomat as “a bit of a nuisance” in an interview with Nigel Farage.
In an interview with British News, Mr Farage told Trump that the former prime minister had “said the most horrific things” to him, including calling him a “destructive president”.
Trump responded: “If that’s the case, he won’t be there very long.
“I don’t know much about him. I’ve heard he’s a bit of a nuisance. If he’s hostile, he won’t be there for long”.
Australian Foreign Minister Wong Ying-yin told reporters that Rudd would remain ambassador even if Trump were elected president.
“Mr Kevin Rudd is a very effective ambassador,” she said in the capital, Canberra. “The whole parliament thinks he has done an excellent job promoting Australia’s interests in the United States.”
Trump’s comments also sparked attacks on Rudd from Australia’s opposition, who asked in parliament whether his role would be reassessed.
Liberal leader Peter Dutton said Trump had “serious questions” that needed to be answered and “Mr Rudd needs to repair the relationship”.
In his reply, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had never before seen attempts to politicize Australia’s overseas representation, adding that the Opposition Leader had welcomed Rudd’s appointment when he was appointed.
Australia regards the United States as a major strategic ally, and the two countries are building nuclear submarines in Australia under the Orcus Agreement to establish closer defense relations.
Rudd is a former China scholar who served as CEO of the U.S. think tank Asia Society before becoming ambassador. He has previously criticized Trump on China policy and other issues.
Ms Huang mentioned Rudd’s work on the Orcus Agreement, adding that he had engaged with members of both parties in the US Congress.
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