PM Albanese Expresses Trust in Trump Despite Rising Australian Disapproval

In the lead-up to Australia’s May 3 election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared his trust in US President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reports.

The issue of trust in foreign leaders became a key talking point during Wednesday’s televised debate between Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Both candidates were pressed on whether they trusted Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Albanese stated that he trusted the US President and saw “no reason not to” trust China’s leader, emphasizing the economic importance of trade relations between Australia and China despite their differing political systems. Dutton, on the other hand, said he didn’t know either leader well enough to offer an opinion.

The debate highlights the complex position Australia finds itself in, balancing its close security alliance with the US and its significant trading relationship with China. Dutton, seeking to distance himself from Trump after previously describing him as a “shrewd” leader, faces an uphill battle as recent polling data reflects growing unease among Australians towards the American president.

Albanese’s Labor government is currently experiencing a resurgence in opinion polls at the mid-point of the campaign, while Dutton’s campaign has struggled to gain momentum. The second debate, dominated by discussions on housing, energy, and foreign policy, also saw Dutton acknowledge a mistake in falsely attributing comments on a Russian aircraft agreement to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.