Penny Wong on Donald Trump

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has repeatedly addressed the implications of a Donald Trump presidency, generally advocating for a measured and confident Australian approach. When questioned following election results, she consistently pivoted to emphasizing national self-confidence and the enduring strength of the Australia-US alliance, irrespective of who occupies the White House. She has defended the incumbent Ambassador, despite past controversial comments about Trump, by noting the diplomat's ability to secure bipartisan support, even from his administration, for key agreements like AUKUS and the Critical Minerals Framework Agreement.

Her position becomes particularly sensitive when dealing with US actions that test international norms, as seen in her response to a joint US-Israel military action against Iran. In that instance, she took a cautious stance, stating she would "leave it for the United States and Israel" to speak on the legal basis for the attacks, a position that critics suggested risked appearing weak on the rules-based order. This reflects a consistent tension: maintaining the close security alliance while remaining committed to international law principles, which she has stated cannot be cherry-picked.