Australian Officials to Attend Trump's Inauguration

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd are set to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, marking a significant diplomatic engagement despite past criticisms of Trump. Wong described the invitation as a demonstration of the 'steadfast alliance' between Australia and the United States, emphasizing the importance of this visit in advancing economic and security cooperation. Both officials plan to meet with key members of the Trump administration and Congress, with discussions underway for a Quad foreign ministers' meeting involving Japan and India. Wong's attendance is particularly noteworthy as she has previously criticized Trump for undermining alliances. Rudd has also faced scrutiny for his past comments about Trump but expressed readiness to work with the new administration. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains optimistic about negotiating tariff concerns given Australia's trade surplus with the US.