Foreign Minister Returns Empty-Handed as US Tariffs Loom, Opposition Claims PM Sidelined
Deputy Nationals leader calls Albanese 'inconsequential' on world stage as 10% baseline tariff set to begin next week
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has returned from Washington without securing relief from looming US tariffs or updates on the AUKUS submarine program review, prompting sharp criticism that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has become a "bit player" in international relations.
Australia faces a 10% baseline tariff on exports to the United States beginning next week unless last-minute negotiations succeed, with opposition politicians describing Wong's visit as a "disappointing" missed opportunity that produced nothing more than "a photo opportunity."
"It was a very disappointing visit by Wong. No update on the AUKUS review, nothing on tariffs," Deputy Nationals Leader Kevin Hogan told Sky News AM Agenda this morning.
The criticism comes as Australia continues to face higher steel and aluminum tariffs of 50% while other countries including the United Kingdom have secured exemptions from similar measures.
Hogan escalated his attack on the government's international standing, suggesting Albanese lacks influence with the Trump administration compared to previous Australian prime ministers.
"What we're seeing now, we have to realise, is that Prime Minister Albanese is a bit player and all but inconsequential on the world stage with America and others," Hogan said. "And it's very disappointing because that hasn't always been the case for Australian Prime Ministers."
The deputy opposition leader questioned whether Albanese has even requested a phone call with President Donald Trump, noting other international leaders have secured face-to-face meetings since the US election.
"Has the prime minister even been able to secure a phone call? Like, has he requested a phone call with the president? We know he hasn't got a meeting, and a lot of other leaders have had physical meetings with the president. I don't think the prime minister can even secure a phone call," Hogan said.
Greens Call for AUKUS Review
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young acknowledged the changed international landscape under Trump's leadership while calling for Australia to diversify its international relationships beyond the United States.
"Donald Trump has fundamentally changed the way the US engages with countries right around the world, but particularly how they engage with people who are meant to be their friends," Hanson-Young said.
She pointed to Trump administration treatment of Ukraine, Europe and Canada as evidence that "Australia is not special" in facing pressure from Washington.
"These tariffs are clearly designed to, you know, kind of send a message to countries like Australia. We need to be engaging with other partners," she said, specifically mentioning China, South Korea and Europe as alternatives for strengthening trade relationships.
Hanson-Young highlighted what she described as an anomaly in AUKUS oversight, noting both the UK and US are conducting reviews of the submarine partnership while Australia is not.
"I'll tell you what's odd, that the UK are having an inquiry into AUKUS. The US is having a review into AUKUS. And yet Australia, who is the country who is front-loading the spending, billions of taxpayers' money, we're not reviewing it or inquiring into it at all," she said.
The senator announced the Greens would push for a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS when Parliament resumes in coming weeks.
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Superannuation Tax Negotiations Continue
On domestic policy, Hanson-Young confirmed the Greens remain in discussions with the government over proposed superannuation tax changes, suggesting openness to alternatives to the current unrealized gains tax proposal.
Reports this morning indicated the Greens might support an alternative plan involving a 20% tax on all superannuation accounts above $3 million with a 5% discount for accounts under that threshold, potentially raising more revenue than the government's current proposal.
"We are, you know, we're still in conversations with the government. The ball's in their court. What's on the table is their policy," Hanson-Young said.
She reiterated Greens concerns about the lack of indexation in the current proposal and their preference for a lower threshold for the tax to apply.
"We've said we've got a few issues with it, like the lack of indexation. We'd like the threshold to be lowered, of course. But we're always open to new old ideas and policies," she said.
Trade Pressure Mounts
The criticism of Wong's Washington visit comes as Australia faces mounting trade pressure from its closest security ally. The 10% baseline tariff represents the lower end of threatened US trade measures, but follows existing 50% tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum exports.
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor yesterday echoed criticism that Wong returned "empty-handed" from the Washington meetings, suggesting the government's diplomatic approach has failed to secure Australian interests.
The timing is particularly sensitive given Australia's substantial financial commitments under the AUKUS partnership, which involves purchasing US and UK nuclear submarine technology at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars over coming decades.
International relations experts have noted the unusual situation of Australia committing to major defense purchases while simultaneously facing trade penalties from the same partner nations.
Parliamentary Return Focus
Both opposition and crossbench politicians signaled intentions to escalate pressure on the government when Parliament resumes, with the Nationals and Greens indicating different but complementary lines of attack.
While the Nationals plan to continue criticism of the government's international relations management, the Greens intend to push for greater oversight of Australia's largest-ever defense procurement program.
The parliamentary return will also likely feature continued negotiations over superannuation tax changes, with the Greens holding potential deciding votes in the Senate on the government's proposed reforms.
"When we get back to Parliament, we'll see where it lands," Hanson-Young said regarding both the superannuation discussions and planned AUKUS inquiry push.
The developments highlight growing parliamentary pressure on the Albanese government's handling of both international relations and domestic economic policy, with critics from across the political spectrum questioning different aspects of the administration's approach.
For the government, the challenge will be demonstrating progress on the US relationship while managing domestic political pressure over major policy initiatives requiring crossbench support in the Senate.
The next week will prove critical for the tariff issue, with the baseline 10% rate set to commence automatically unless diplomatic breakthrough emerges from ongoing discussions between Australian and US officials.
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