[Global Times Reporter Gu Jindong] As the new Australian ambassador to the United States who is about to take up his duties, Rudd said in an interview with Bloomberg TV that if the United States wants to counter China’s economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region, it needs to stop placing allies in the Asia-Pacific region. "Throw off the bus".

　　According to the "Sydney Morning Herald" report on the 4th, Rudd said in an interview that the United States has ignored the importance of trade and blindly focused on national defense and national security.

He said that American politicians are now dominated by "overwhelming protectionist trends" and that the United States needs to do more to open more markets to its allies in Asia and Europe.

He also mentioned that if the United States wants to counter China's economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region, it needs to stop "throwing its allies off the bus".

However, Rudd emphasized in his speech that since he has not yet served as the ambassador to the United States, he is being interviewed as the chairman of the Asia Society.

　　The "Sydney Morning Herald" stated that Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian also made similar arguments in a speech in Washington last month.

Huang Yingxian said that Australia and the United States need to prove to the countries in the region that "we want to do business with them and create wealth", and secondly, they also need to prove to the countries in the region that "besides security interests, we have interests that we want to cultivate. Their interest in stability and development is our common interest, and we participate in it."

　　For Rudd's latest statement, the outside world showed different reactions.

Simon Birmingham, the foreign affairs spokesman of the Australian opposition party, accused Rudd of making "opinionated speeches" before assuming his duties. "His upcoming role requires more flexible handling and political wisdom."

However, Ian Bremer, president of the Eurasia Group and foreign affairs expert, said that Rudd's assessment is "completely correct," "As Rudd said, unless the Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress are ready to have a real discussion on long-term economic strategy without coherent discussion, the U.S. National Security Strategy will not achieve its intended purpose.”

The "Sydney Morning Herald" stated that the Biden administration's insistence on the former President Trump's decision to abandon the "Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement" (TPP) reflects the recent trend of the United States' departure from free trade.

　　Rudd served as Prime Minister of Australia twice from 2007 to 2010 and 2013.

In December 2022, the current Australian Prime Minister Albanese announced that Rudd will succeed Sinodinos as the new Australian ambassador to the United States.

According to Australian media, Rudd will formally take up his post in Washington in March.

Nikkei previously reported that the Australian government's appointment of Rudd as the new ambassador to the United States seems to indicate that the Australian government hopes that the relationship between Australia, China and the United States will develop in a deeper and more sensible direction.

　　(Source: Global Times)