Visceral dislike of Donald Trump by his many detractors has spawned an outbreak of alarmism that threatens to erode nearly seventy years of bipartisanship on Australian foreign policy. Green’s leader, Richard Di Natale, is the latest politician to question the value of close security ties with the US, urging the government to “junk” the alliance in retribution for Trump’s decision to prevent people from seven Muslim majority countries entering the US.
The US President’s provocative rhetoric and combative style have understandably fuelled concerns about the direction of future US Asia policy. But they don’t justify intemperate calls for an immediate rethink of our relationship with Washington or fevered speculation about the likelihood of a war between the US and China.
Channelling John Howard, former Australian ambassador to Washington, Michael Thawley, advised those “hyperventilating” about Trump’s rise to “have a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down for a bit.” Sound advice.