The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

Joe Hockey on how Australia should navigate a second Trump term

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra



American politics has become weekly high drama.

Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt[1] last weekend. Now Joe Biden has COVID[2], and is under ever-increasing pressure to stand aside as the Democratic candidate for November’s presidential election.

We’re joined on the podcast by former Australian Ambassador to Washington, Joe Hockey, who’s at this week’s Republican convention.

Summing up the convention’s mood, Hockey says:

Frankly, there’s an energy that I wasn’t expecting after last Saturday’s attempted assassination […] People are positive. They’re not aggressive, they’re just positive and they’re very energised.

The “enormous support” for Trump has been a marked contrast from the divisions Hockey witnessed at the 2016 Republican convention. Yet Hockey agrees the former US president seems unusually subdued this week.

People I’ve spoken with, who have spoken to him, say it is a different Donald Trump. He’s obviously had a near-death experience, and his hand has dampened a lot of the usual aggression that pervades Democrat and Republican conventions. So, I think there’s no doubt he’s been significantly affected by the attempted assassination.

Biden’s most likely replacement

On the calls for Biden to step aside as candidate, Hockey says that up until now, he thought the president would fight on and stay. But the Biden office’s push over the past 48 hours to speed up the confirmation process has backfired.

All that’s done is just hastened the demand of Democrat leaders to have Joe Biden step down. Now, how [do] they do it? It’s uncharted territory. Clearly in Australia, we know – with unfortunate regularity – how to bring down the leaders of our own parties. In America, they just don’t do it.

Biden’s COVID diagnosis, coupled with his declining performances, means it’s now looking more like the president will have to go.

I saw two interviews that he did where it’s just, it’s depressing. I think it’s really interesting that no one here is celebrating or dancing on Joe Biden’s ill-health. I mean, no one’s mentioning it. No one’s even talking about it because we’ve all had parents, grandparents, that have gone through this cognitive decline.

Who’s mostly like to replace Biden? Hockey says he would be “dumbfounded” if Vice President Kamala Harris didn’t step up – particularly because, as of today, she’s already out-polling Biden against Trump.

What it means for Australia

On Australia’s relationship with a possible second Trump term, Hockey lays out what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should do on his first phone call.

Albanese should give him something in that call to show that we are serious. It could be the next down-payment on the submarines - to bring it forward. It could be something else. But Donald Trump is a person of action.

I think it’ll be important to remind him that we have already given a cheque for $3 billion to the US for Virginia subs, and we’re doing our heavy lifting. And look […] the starting point for Donald Trump is Australia is a great country and a great friend.

A divided America affects the world

On the trajectory of what is happening in the United States, Hockey says:

I think there’ll be plenty to worry about. I mean, America still, in my mind, represents the biggest sovereign risk to companies that are operating outside of Australia. And that’s because there is so much uncertainty in America, I mean, the key thing […] we’ve all got to understand is that in America, the political divide is chiselled on policy. There is a policy divide between the Republicans and the Democrats.

There are deep divisions from taxation, where there’s different tax rates between Trump and Biden, through to regulation and of course, climate change is a big one. […] So there are big, deep divisions between the parties, which is why the parties are so fired up about the election.

References

  1. ^ assassination attempt (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ has COVID (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-joe-hockey-on-how-australia-should-navigate-a-second-trump-term-235015

The Times Features

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

The Rise of Meal Replacement Shakes in Australia: Why The Lady Shake Is Leading the Pack

Source Meal replacement shakes are having a moment in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re quick, convenient, and packed with nutrition, making them the perfect solu...

HCF’s Healthy Hearts Roadshow Wraps Up 2024 with a Final Regional Sprint

Next week marks the final leg of the HCF Healthy Hearts Roadshow for 2024, bringing free heart health checks to some of NSW’s most vibrant regional communities. As Australia’s ...

The Budget-Friendly Traveler: How Off-Airport Car Hire Can Save You Money

When planning a trip, transportation is one of the most crucial considerations. For many, the go-to option is renting a car at the airport for convenience. But what if we told ...

Times Magazine

What You Need To Do If You Are Involved In A Motor Vehicle Accident

In a motor vehicle accident every year, millions of people are injured, or worse, fatally involved. This shows that no matter how cautious you are on the road, misfortunes occur due to the carelessness, negligence, or intentions of others. When ...

A Guide to the Best Experience at the Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is among the jewels that Formula One or F1 owns. The high-speed chase is held in the narrow streets of Monte Carlo. And because little has changed on the race track’s exciting design since the first race was held here, the M...

Enhance Software with Dynamic Code Analysis Techniques

Dynamic code analysis is a widely utilized technique that plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and security of software applications. This process involves the examination of an application's behaviour while it is executing, which is in c...

14 Best Car Rental Hacks: Save Time & Money on the Go

Discovering how to shrink travel expenses starts with cracking the code on car rentals. The savvy traveller knows that beyond the advertised price, there are secrets and strategies that can lead to substantial savings, allowing you to allocate mo...

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

THE BULBS ARE BACK FOR A DAZZLING DISPLAY THIS SPRING AT THE 2022 TESSELAAR TULIP FESTIVAL  The much-loved and visually spectacular Tesselaar Tulip Festival, in Melbourne’s magical Dandenong Ranges, returns this spring to once again surprise, de...

The Lowdown on Cat Curfews

CAT CURFEWS AND HELPING YOUR CAT TO COPE Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with over a quarter of Australian households owning a cat. There are approximately 6.5 million cats across Australia, covering some 99%...