Foreign Minister vows to put Australia first in dealings with Trump White House

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has vowed to put Australia first in her inaugural meetings with the new Trump administration, amid looming uncertainties over economic tariffs and a more hawkish US approach to China.

Senator Wong has joined foreign dignitaries alongside America’s glitterati as Australia’s most senior representative at the inauguration of President Donald Trump – an event she described as “extraordinary.”

She is expected to meet with new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio just hours after his confirmation for a gathering of “Quad” foreign ministers from Japan and India.

In a series of interviews on Tuesday morning, Senator Wong downplayed the threat of — as yet unannounced — economic tariffs from a Trump White House.

“We have a relationship, a very strong economic relationship with the US” that worked in the US’ favour, she stressed, adding that “the US has a surplus with Australia and has had since President Truman’s time.”

Canberra would be “advocating for Australia’s interest” in any new announcement emerging from the Trump Administration, she told ABC Radio National Breakfast.

“I’m here, obviously, at the invitation of the new Administration to attend the inauguration, but also to advocate for and to express Australia’s views and Australia’s interests, both in relation to our economic interests, but also our security interests.”

Senator Wong would not be drawn on President Trump’s plan to immediately issue executive orders that slash diversity, equity and inclusion programs and proclaim the US government will only recognise two sexes — male and female.

“I don’t intend, particularly while I’m here in Washington, to comment on President Trump’s domestic policy announcement,” she said.

“I have a job to do here in Washington, and that is to advocate for Australia’s interests, our security interests and our economic interests, and that’s what I’ll be doing,” repeated Senator Wong.

The convening of a Quad meeting in the first hours of the new Administration signals the priority a Trump White House will place on its Indo-Pacific policy.

The grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US was formed amid shared concerns about China’s growing power.

President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio are expected to take a hawkish economic and foreign policy approach to China, but Senator Wong said Australia would not be shifting its position towards Beijing.

Canberra would remain consistent, she said – “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in the national interests.”

“I’ve also made clear there are areas where we do disagree, and we will. Whether they are in relation to international law, matters in the South China Sea, or in relation to human rights, and we have been very upfront about that.”