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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory.
“The election of the President of the United States is always an important moment for the world, for our region and for Australia,” Mr Albanese says.
“Our government will work closely with the new Trump Administration to realise the benefits of our strong economic partnership.”
EARLIER: Albanese plays the diplomatic hand
Albanese reminded the incoming administration of the long leadership role the US has played in Indo-Pacific stability and security.
“Australia will strive to strengthen the co-operation between our two nations in the region,” he says.
“Australia and America are old allies and we are true friends.”
Albanese reminded journalists in Canberra yesterday that the Australia-US relationship dates back to World War II.
“Ever since then, the US alliance has been an important feature whether it’s been Labor or Liberal in Australia, or Democrat and Republican,” he says.
“I’m confident that that close relationship and alliance will continue to prosper in the years ahead.”
AUKUS AND TARIFFS
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told ABC Radio today that there is long‑standing, and strong, bipartisan support for the Australia-US alliance in both countries.
Wong met with former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York recently and described it as a “very good engagement”.
On the possibility of US tariffs on Australia imports, Wong believes Australia has no concerns although she concedes it may happen.
“Trump has run a campaign based on change. He’s made it clear he’s going to do things differently so we shouldn’t be surprised if things change.”
Wong also believes Australia’s Ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, has been highly effective with Republicans and Democrats and expressed confidence in his ability to deal with the new administration.
On the AUKUS deal, Wong says the change of US government has not affected Australia’s need for deterrence.
“There’s been strong bipartisan support for AUKUS, particularly through Congress, which you would have seen with the passage of legislation and in public comments.”
Finally, I again make the point, these submarines are a sovereign capability for Australia.
US Vice President Kamala Harris has conceded to Donald Trump but vowed to keep fighting for the issues that she campaigned on including abortion.
Trump reportedly has 295 Electoral College seats compared to Kamala Harris’s 224; 270 college seats are needed to win the presidency.
According to the Guardian website, the Republicans have taken control of the Senate with 52 seats, a gain of three seats. They are also on the verge of taking control of the House of Representatives with 205 seats out of 218 seats needed for control.
Trump becomes the first convicted criminal to win the White House and, at 78, the oldest person ever elected to the office.
He will become the first president to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland (in office from 1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897).
