Kevin Rudd breaks silence on President-elect Donald Trump's election win, declaring Australia is ‘ready’

Kevin Rudd has insisted Australia is ready to deal with a second Trump presidency as he outlined the arguments for why the incoming administration should stick to the AUKUS submarine deal.

Speculation about the former prime minister’s ability to remain ambassador in Washington swirled after a senior aide to Donald Trump posted an animation of an hourglass on social media in reference to Mr Rudd’s previous critical commentary about the Republican.

But in a video address to a United States Studies Centre conference on Wednesday, Mr Rudd said the embassy team he leads was ready to work closely with the new administration.

“The election of the President of the United States is an important moment for the world. It’s important for our region. It’s important for Australia,” he said.

“Here at the embassy, we’ve been working hard through the course of the last year to ensure that we were well prepared for this moment. And the bottom line is, we’re ready.”

In the days after the US election, Dr Rudd deleted social media posts he had made before becoming ambassador that were critical of Mr Trump.

A key question for Australia is how Mr Trump will view the AUKUS deal struck and solidified with the Biden administration.

Under the plan, American Virginia-class submarines will start rotating through Perth’s HMAS Stirling from 2027 and Australia will buy at least three of the nuclear-powered boats from the US from 2032.

Legislation underpinning the deal passed Congress late last year with bipartisan backing, but the sale of the submarines requires presidential sign-off each time.

Mr Rudd argued on Wednesday that Australia was more than lifting its weight and it was a good deal for America – both points that could hold sway with a deal-maker president.

He said Australia’s large-scale purchases from US industry was a “significant defence deal”.

“On top of that, we’re already investing into the US submarine industrial base to expand the capacity of their shipyards,” he said.

“Put these things together and it represents a strong, positive message for America, one that shows Australia is a valuable and committed friend, ally and partner.

“Different leaders have come to the same conclusion.”