It was President Trump’s actions lately in the White House that did just that. One of the more pointed jabs came in the form of a question to Australian PM Scott Morrison, directed through the neck at Oz Ambassador Kevin Rudd. Surveillance footage of the incident—which played out in plain view of both leaders—has gone viral, raising questions about its impact on US-Australia relations.
During the negotiations, President Trump reproached Rudd in frank terms, saying, “I don’t like you any more than you like me.” According to insiders, this quote was intended in response to a question about Rudd’s previous criticism of Trump. The ambassador had previously made several negative remarks about the US President, making Trump’s retort seem more than just a casual dismissal.
The exchange was symptomatic of a broader miscommunication between the two countries. Most importantly though, it underscored the need to keep strong diplomatic relations above all else. The introduction of Prime Minister Morrison completely transformed the tone of the room. This time, Trump’s remarks revealed a more intimate glow of world diplomacy. The crash raised the eyebrows of both independent onlookers and those involved in the situation. Direct confrontations like this do not often occur on the formal diplomatic stage.
Ambassador Rudd’s history of criticizing Trump likely influenced the President’s reaction during this high-stakes meeting. Bilateral negotiations interspersed their schedule with substantive discussions on a range of issues from trade to security. Trump’s remark added an unanticipated dimension to the conversation and revealed the prevailing animosity that may shape eventual relations.
