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 America, the deputy prime minister says.

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

Questions are being asked about the future of US-Australia relations after former Republican president and second-time presidential hopeful Donald Trump called the administration’s US ambassador, Kevin Rudd, “a bit nasty” and warned that he was ” wouldn’t stay long’.

The former prime minister called Trump “the most destructive president in history” before he was appointed man of Australia in Washington.

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

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

His comments come after Rudd described Trump as “madmen”, “the most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West”.

“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 are working very closely with the Biden administration, as we will work closely with the incumbent administration in America at any time, and that is where our efforts are focused.”

The Australian government worked with the Trump administration under the ambassadorship 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 to the US breaking the trilateral security alliance between America, Britain and Australia – known as AUKUS.

But Marles says there is “no reason” to believe a Trump administration would be anything but supportive of the deal.

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

In December, the U.S. Congress passed legislation allowing substantial provisions for the AUKUS nuclear submarine program.

The government has credited the success of the deal to Dr. Rudd’s handling of the Democratic-Republican divide.

“We feel confident about the support across the spectrum because it makes strategic sense for the United States,” Mr. Marles said.