Kevin Rudd resigns as US ambassador
Updated ,first published
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd will resign as Australia’s ambassador to the US at the end of March, a year earlier than expected.
In October, the Albanian government shrugged off US President Donald Trump’s negative comments about the ambassador and ignored opposition calls for his removal.
Trump told Rudd at a White House meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that he would never like him, but the prime minister dismissed the conversation as a joke and Rudd later apologized privately to Trump for his past criticisms.
Albanese’s announcement that Rudd would resign to return to his role as global chairman of the Asia Community think tank was unexpected. She was staunchly defended by government and diplomatic sources after Trump turned to her during a state dinner, asked her about the negative remarks and said: “I don’t like you either.” [laughter]and I probably never will.”
It was described as a joke at the time, prompting Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to say: “When the ambassador is the butt of the joke and the prime minister is actually laughing at him, I think that tells us everything we need to know about the fact that it’s probably not reasonable for him to continue in this role because there are critically important issues that need to be addressed.”
Rudd cleared Critical statements about Trump From Trump’s online records after his election victory in November 2024; They included posts in which he said Trump was “the most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West.” Later the video emerged Rudd describes Trump as ‘village idiot’ in 2021
rudd appointed as ambassador In December 2022.
Both Albanian and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong paid tribute to his outstanding work ethic and efforts to represent Australia during his three years in office.
“During both Democratic and Republican administrations, Kevin has worked collaboratively with our closest security ally and key strategic partner to deliver tangible results,” Albanese said at a press conference in Canberra to announce the end of Rudd’s term.
“As Prime Minister I have visited the United States at least seven times. This is due to the fruitful work that Kevin Rudd has done generally, including in particular to advance the economic relationship between our two nations, but also, of course, to ensure that AUKUS can move forward to benefit Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.”
“As someone who has close relationships not only with the United States but with our partners around the world, I can tell you that Kevin’s expertise on China is sought by leaders internationally, and I now have no doubt that he will continue in this new role to contribute to a better understanding of our region, the Indo-Pacific, at this critical time,” Wong said.
Albanese insisted the decision was entirely Rudd’s and that he was not being pressured into taking early action.
“Kevin Rudd has a work ethic unlike anyone I’ve ever met; he worked tirelessly,” he said.
“He is stepping into a role that he believes is very important. Kevin Rudd will tell you privately what he has said publicly, and what drove him to write his book is that he thinks the relationship between the United States and China, the two great superpowers, is the most important relationship that will define the middle of this century. He sees it as a continuation of his public service, not just to Australia but to the global community.”
More to come.
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