PM says Trump administration had ‘no influence’ in Rudd’s decision to step down after White House humiliation

Anthony Albanese has insisted that the Trump administration had no influence in Australian envoy Kevin Rudd’s decision to quit the posting just months after a White House humiliation.

The Prime Minister announced the Washington-based ambassador’s tenure in the top diplomat position would end one year early and thanked him for his service.

Mr Albanese claimed it was the result of a sole decision by Mr Rudd to resign on March 31. He will now become the global president of leading international relations at the Asia Society.

When asked if there had been any suggestion from the Trump administration that Mr Rudd should be removed, Mr Albanese strongly denied any US influence.

“No. Absolutely not,” he said.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Penny Wong paid tribute to Mr Rudd’s work, including AUKUS pact, critical minerals, AI collaborations, and securing Julian Assange’s release in 2024.

Mr Rudd was appointed to the role by the Albanese government in March 2023 under the then Biden administration and had been due to conclude his tenure in March 2027.

“As Prime Minister, I have visited the United States on no less than seven occasions. That’s because of the productive work that Kevin Rudd has done, across the board,” he said.

The early departure comes after an awkward exchange between Mr Rudd and Donald Trump during Mr Albanese’s White House visit in October, when a reporter brought up his past comments slamming the US President.

His past controversial comments relate to now-infamous 2020 posts describing Mr Trump as a “a village idiot” and “the most destructive president in history”.

It prompted the US president to eye-ball Mr Rudd mid-press conference and deliver a stinging remark: “I don’t like you either, and I probably never will”.

After media were cleared from the room, Mr Trump reportedly told Mr Rudd “all is forgiven”.

Senator Wong on Tuesday described Mr Rudd as an “excellent ambassador” and echoed the PM’s thanks for his “tireless contribution to Australia’s national interests over the last three years”.

“He’s always brought an extraordinary level of energy and discipline to public service. He applied his relentless effort, his experience, intellect and determination to advance Australia’s interests Washington and Kevin Rudd has served the nation well,” she said.

“In his tenure, Australia secured US congressional support for authorising legislation for AUKUS with full bipartisan support as well as full presidential endorsement from both presidents, Biden and Trump.

“He concluded the critical minerals rare earth framework with the US, now implemented across multiple mining and processing projects benefiting both our countries, forming the basis of US agreements with other partners including with G7 partners.

“Kevin helped unlock billions in new investment and collaboration, including AI data centres and quantum in sectors that will strengthen the Australian economy and our security for decades to come.

“He’s put Australia’s superannuation industry on the map with the United States, turbo charging US engagement and investment and strengthening our credentials as a financial services centre of the Indo-Pacific and as the PM said, he worked to secure Julian Assange’s return to Australia in 2024.”

Mr Rudd, who was Australia’s prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and then again in 2013, will be going back to his old stomping ground at the Asia Society, which he headed between 2021 and 2023.

The Mandarin-speaking former politician will also head the Society’s Centre for China Analysis.

Mr Albanese is yet to decide who will take on the role but has two months to decide.

He did not respond when asked if fellow former prime minister Scott Morrison might be on the cards to take up the Washington posting.

“We’ll make decisions down the track about the right person with the right skills,” he said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr Rudd said he had been honoured to serve as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States over the last three years.

“I will be remaining in America working between New York and Washington on the future of US-China relations, which I have always believed to be the core question for the future stability of our region and the world,” he said.

When later peppered with questions about who could replace Mr Rudd — amid a slew of names being thrown around — Senator Wong said Australia would be seeking someone who would act in Australia’s interest and form strong connections abroad.

“One of the things that Kevin Rudd was able to do as ambassador was to build relationships with both Republicans and Democrats,” she told Sky.

“We will make an appointment of someone with the skills and attributes that we think are needed for the country.”

Shadow foreign minister Michaelia Cash said the Coalition acknowledged Mr Rudd’s service at what it described as the “most consequential diplomatic posting for Australia”.

“At this moment of global uncertainty it would have been prudent and better for Australia’s national interest to have a replacement announced today,” Senator Cash said.

“The Albanese Government should provide certainty on the appointment of Australia’s next Ambassador as soon as possible.

“The Prime Minister must now ensure Australia’s next Ambassador is someone who can build, not complicate, that relationship and strengthen our standing with our most important ally.”

Nationals Leader David Littleproud accused the government of “arrogance” in sending the former prime minister who had previously criticised Mr Trump to Washington.

“It was diplomatic naivety to think that we could just take a punt and hope that Trump did not get elected to send Rudd there, despite the disparaging comments – of both him and the Prime Minister previous,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News.

“It was arrogance to send him there to start with. But it’s important now that we get it right because our relationship with the United States is critical, not just a trade sense, but in a strategic geopolitical sense in our national security.”

Among prominent Australians to pay tribute to his service was former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“Your energy and dedication to the mission has been without limit. And you have navigated turbulent times with a relentless focus on Australia’s national interest,” Mr Turnbull said.

Fellow former Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey credited Mr Rudd for the “huge effort” in Washington.

“It is not an easy job and he has worked really hard for Australia over the past three years,” Mr Hockey said.

“Kevin can be proud of his achievements as Ambassador and I wish he and Therese the very best for the future.”