“Trump doesn’t care about Australia anymore, but who, if anyone, is to blame?”

It may have been emotionally satisfying to be rude to Trump but it achieved nothing useful.  That’s why, knowing a decision on Australian steel and aluminium tariffs was imminent, Albanese has carefully abstained from any personal criticism of Trump – even over the bizarre plans to turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East” and posting the most aberrant video (see below). The opposition is blaming Albanese for Trump’s decision. Some are blaming Malcolm Turnbull for his ill-timed personal tirade against Trump on the eve of Trump’s decision.

Trump clearly decides what countries are his friends based on the leader – as with Putin and Russia, in sharp contrast to Ukraine’s Zelensky and Canada’s Trudeau.  He respects China’s Xi Jinping and even North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, as they are strong leaders.  So unfortunately, even though Malcolm Turnbull is an ex-Prime Minister, Trump would see this as a betrayal of a leader.  We may not have got the exemption anyway, but the door would have remained open for future skillful diplomacy with both Trump and Congress, where Australia has some strong support.  But most likely the door is now closed, as Trump wouldn’t even take Albanese’s phone call this week.

Trump’s decision on tariffs should force Australia to reassess its relationship with the US.Credit: Matthew Absalom-Wong

Donald Trump shares bizarre AI-generated video of 'Trump Gaza' – Guardian News, February 26th, 2025