Press conference, Washington DC

Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Thanks very much for joining me. Can I say how pleased I am to be here again in Washington ahead of what will be an historic day. I am so honoured to be the first Australian Foreign Minister who has been invited to a presidential inauguration, and I look forward to attending President Trump’s inauguration tomorrow on behalf of Australia.

We are one of only a small handful of foreign governments to receive this invitation, a demonstration of the steadfast alliance between Australia and the United States, an alliance, a relationship, bound by a long history of cooperation, of shared ambitions and enduring respect between our peoples.

The alliance is critical to both our nations and is critical to our region. It is critical because of its contribution to Australia’s defence, Australia’s security and, of course, Australia’s economic prosperity. The US is our closest global partner. It is our most important strategic relationship.

I look forward to meeting the nominee for the Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio, here in Washington and working closely with him to realise the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership.

As you know, Quad Foreign Ministers are also here in DC for the inauguration. I had the opportunity today to meet with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and the Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya ahead of the inauguration. We’re really pleased at the invitation extended to Quad Foreign Ministers. It’s a demonstration of the collective commitment of all countries to the Quad, an iron-clad commitment in this time where close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is so important.

In coming days I will have the opportunity to meet with other members of the Trump administration and Congress. And the message I will have for them is that Australia is here, again, from day one to pursue our shared interests and to deliver for both our peoples.

Before I take questions, can I, again, also extend my condolences to all those who have been impacted by the dreadful wildfires across California. I took a briefing from our Consul-General in Los Angeles about those events, and obviously all of Australia stands with those communities who have been affected.

Happy to take questions.

Journalist: Minister, who are the other members of the Trump administration that you intend to meet?

Foreign Minister: Well, as well as Senator Rubio we obviously are seeking meetings with a number of others. I probably will do that in tomorrow’s press conference. How about that?

Journalist: Australia’s Ambassador Kevin Rudd met with Donald Trump recently at his West Beach golf course. How did that meeting go? Do you have any concerns about the future of that relationship going forward? And when will the Prime Minister be meeting with Donald Trump?

Foreign Minister: You always do ask me, you know, triple-barrelled questions. I think the meeting was a short discussion. Obviously it went well, as can be seen by the fact that this invitation has been extended. We look forward to working the new administration, as I said, to advance our shared interests, the economic and security interests of both our peoples.

Journalist: Minister, how confident are you that Kevin Rudd can form an effective working relationship with the Trump administration going forward?

Foreign Minister: I think that is demonstrated, isn’t it? I mean, we’ve seen the AUKUS legislation shepherded through. We’ve seen this visit organised. We’ve seen the invitation to the inauguration for both me and also Ambassador Rudd, and I think that speaks for itself.

Journalist: Would you say there’s a big difference between the way the Australian Government approaches this Trump administration to the way it prepared for and approached the previous Trump administration?

Foreign Minister: Well, you’d have to ask those who were in government at the time of the previous Trump administration. Obviously, you know, we weren’t in government and, you know, there were a range of issues which the government of the day had to deal with then. What I can say to Australians is that I will, along with all of the cabinet, take an approach which is considered, which is careful, which is well prepared and thorough and which will look to Australia’s interests – our national security interests and our economic interests.

Journalist: Minister Wong, firstly, what challenges do you see with the incoming Trump administration? And, secondly, on Gaza, the ceasefire has come into effect. We’ve seen Israeli hostages reunited with their families. Do you believe this ceasefire can hold? Is the Middle East on a path to some sort of peace? Or, given the concerns from Israel, they say they could return fire at a moment’s notice that, once again, the region could be struck into crisis?

Foreign Minister: In relation to your first question, I’m not actually going to engage in a commentary about that. What I will say is, you know, we will be working in partnership with our close friends and allies in the US. I was very pleased to see the nominee for the Secretary of State Senator Rubio talk about the importance of partnerships and alliances. And we share his view about those, the importance of the same.

In terms of the ceasefire, I do want to make a few comments. You know, we welcome the beginning of the ceasefire. We welcome particularly on this day the release of the first hostages. When I was in Israel I had the opportunity to meet with families of the hostages – mothers and brothers and sisters and friends. And they were very moving meetings. They were very moving discussions. Obviously after so many days to see the release of some hostages, you know, is incredibly moving. And, you know, we hope they are able to recover, and our thoughts are with the remaining hostages.

But, look, your comments, your question is a good one – you know, what’s next? Well, first, obviously this ceasefire, it has been called for for many months. It has been worked on by both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration. It is the potential pathway to peace. Of course, it’s difficult. We’ve seen that because there have been so many false starts in terms of the ceasefire discussions. But we welcome the release of the hostages. And there is the opportunity in the Middle East now for the Trump administration to take forward an agenda around greater stability and normalising, particularly given the weakened position of Iran and that is a good thing for security in the region.

Journalist: Minister, you mentioned Secretary Rubio’s comments on alliances. At the same time, President Trump has been talking about NATO lifting defence spending to five per cent. It seems like the NATO members are looking at a deal to go at least three per cent. Has your government been preparing for the possibility of a similar request of Australia, given our cooperation on AUKUS? And do you see the possibility and the need to lift defence spending in a similar way in Australia?

Foreign Minister: Look, we are on a pathway of increasing defence expenditure. That is the case. And a part of that is expenditure under the AUKUS agreement, which is a collaboration between the three countries in order to assure, amongst other things, assure stability and peace in the region, to assure deterrence and to enhance Australia’s maritime capability. So, you know, we are on a trajectory which is seeing increasing defence spending. Our focus is very much on how do we continue to deliver on AUKUS, because we do believe that capability is so important for deterrence, which is the way in which you can secure peace.

Journalist: Minister, on tariffs, will you argue for Australia to be exempt? And, if so, what argument would you be using?

Foreign Minister: I’d make the point that Australia, in terms of US-Australia economic relationships, America has had a trade surplus with us since the Truman Presidency, so that’s a long time. I’d make the point that, in fact, that trade surplus is two to one in America, the US’ favour. And I’d also make the point that I think around half of our Australian exports to the US are inputs to US production. So it’s an economic relationship which is obviously of great mutual benefit but it is of great benefit to the United States.

Journalist: There’s been some quite prominent Australian billionaires associating with Trump – Gina Rinehart, Anthony Pratt, even James Packer. What do you think that does to the Australian relationship in terms of business and investment?

Foreign Minister: Look, I think it is a good thing for the Australian business community to engage with an incoming administration. You know, we welcome the engagement of so many parts of the Australian community with the new administration. As I said, this relationship is so important to us, both economically and in terms of our national security.

Journalist: Minister, Donald Trump has profoundly different views on big foreign policy questions than Joe Biden and his administration. In a wider view, if you could, is tomorrow a profound day of change for the world? Or don’t you see it in that frame?

Foreign Minister: Well, I think every new American presidential change is a profoundly important day for the world.

Journalist: This profound?

Foreign Minister: I think every new presidency is a day of profound importance to the world. And, you know, I look forward to working with the administration as a partner and ally.

Journalist: Minister, as you stand here today, are you 100 per cent confident that Donald Trump will not make any changes to the AUKUS arrangement?

Foreign Minister: I was very pleased to see the very positive comments that the nominee for Secretary of State Senator Rubio made about AUKUS. I am –

Journalist: Was there a sense of –

Foreign Minister: I am very gratified – I’m sorry?

Journalist: Was there a sense of angst by those comments?

Foreign Minister: No, no. I was very pleased to see them. And I have been very pleased to see over many months now the bipartisan support in the Congress for AUKUS as this is one of the ways in which partnerships and alliances can be utilised to enhance collective deterrence and collective strength. And that is so important for peace and security.

Journalist: Minister Wong, given your comments about how this is a time of change with a new president coming in, can I circle back to that first question: what is the plan for the timing of a meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump? Will there be a chance for a meeting before the election?

Foreign Minister: Well, obviously there’s already been a call. I’m the first Foreign Minister from Australia to be invited to the inauguration. I look forward to that discussion. You know, the Prime Minister and the President will engage, as is appropriate. I think the Prime Minister has indicated obviously that there’s the opportunity at a leader’s level Quad meeting for whenever that is scheduled. So, you know, we are very pleased to be able to engage with the President and his team as and when that is mutually convenient.

Journalist: How do you think America’s attitude towards China is going to change under a Trump administration? And what might that do for the way Australia deals with China as well?

Foreign Minister: Well, again, you know, the Trump administration hasn’t commenced as yet, so I’m not going to get drawn into what might or might not happen. But I think if you look at how I and others have spoken about the challenge and opportunity that China presents, including for the stability of the region, I think there’s a lot of similarity in the way in which we’ve been discussing this.

Journalist: Did Ambassador Rudd speak to incoming President Donald Trump about China or Australia’s role in that region? And, also, is there concern that if tariffs were potentially put on countries like China that there would be a snowball effect for Australian goods and potentially tariffs put on Australian goods by other countries?

Foreign Minister: Look, in relation to the second, I’m just not going to speculate about what the economic approach might be. Obviously, just like the Turnbull government had to deal with these issues, we will deal with whatever arises. What was the first part of your question?

Journalist: Just on that brief meeting –

Foreign Minister: Sorry, yes. Look, I think Ambassador Rudd is sought out by many in this country and internationally for his understanding of China and particularly his understanding of President Xi and his agenda. He is somebody who has been sought by many here in the United States and internationally for his views.

Journalist: Just back on Joe’s question that leader-to-leader relationship, it’s obviously particularly important with someone like President Trump. Can you give us any insight on kind of the ongoing efforts the Prime Minister might be making to be in touch with him? Are they texting?

Foreign Minister: I’m not going to engage on what leaders might be doing. We were pleased that there was a good first call very early. I’m very honoured to be here to represent the country, and the Prime Minister looks forward to further engagement with the President. Thank you very much.

Journalist: Just on Ukraine –

Foreign Minister: That was the last question. But, you know, just for you.

Journalist: Thank you. The Australian Government has obviously been very supportive of Ukraine. Republicans have made no secret of the fact that they believe that the US military involvement should be pulled back. Do you have any concerns in relation to the future of Ukraine and its war with Russia?

Foreign Minister: Well, again, you’re asking me to speculate on what the new administration will do. I don’t intend to do that. But I was very honoured to visit Ukraine recently to announce further assistance and to reopen our embassy there. Thank you very much.