Former Australian ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey has revealed what the country should do if Donald Trump wins a second term in November’s election.
Former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have endorsed US Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the White House. This means she has the support of all the leading figures in the Democratic Party. Their endorsement came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The former Liberal MP and federal treasurer said the 2024 election was now a “real test” for Trump as presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris prepares to run on November 5.
Hockey, who spent four years in the United States as Australia’s ambassador, said Australia was among Trump’s favourite countries, including Israel, France and Saudi Arabia.
“The starting point is that he loves Australia,” Hockey told the Guardian podcast.
“As long as we don’t criticize him or exploit him too publicly, we’ll be in a really good position.
“We will be in a much better starting position than any other country.”
Donald Trump is running for re-election this year. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images via AFP
Former Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey. Photo: NewsWire/Gary Ramage.
Asked what Trump likes about Australia, Hockey pointed to the fact that Australia has been involved in every major conflict alongside the United States for more than 100 years.
“We pull our weight and do more… He loves it,” Hockey said.
After President Joe Biden dropped out of the White House race following a disastrous debate performance and concerns about his cognitive decline, Harris represents a “real test” for Trump, he said.
“Oh, yeah, I do,” Hockey said when asked if he thought Harris could beat Trump.
“Donald Trump can beat Donald Trump.”
Asked about Trump, Hockey said, “He’s the best and the worst at the same time.”
“In 2020, I think even though he had Covid against him, I think he defeated himself with some of his behavior and decisions leading up to the election.
“At a time when America was being hit hard by COVID, he spent more time talking about himself than he did actually talking about the American people. And people felt like he wasn’t protecting them, he was protecting himself.”
President Kamala Harris is expected to win the Democratic nomination. Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP
Mr. Hockey said he believed during the 2020 election, middle-class Americans believed Trump was there for his re-election, not for the nation’s recovery.
He said he believes the election will be decided by whether Trump focuses on “what matters to the American people” rather than another “Trump marathon.”
Trump was good at making his case and “getting his message across” and one of the “most amazing communicators ever,” Hockey said.
He said that while Biden had difficulty getting his message across, especially during his short campaign, Harris was a “good communicator.”
