In this interview, Adam Creighton on Sydney Now 2GB with Clinton Maynard contextualises and disseminates the findings of the IPA’s research into Australia’s National Defence.
All media appearances posted onto the IPA website are directly related to the promotion and dissemination of IPA research
Clinton Maynard:
Nine past 5:00. The biggest story today no question has been Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. It was to be in the Oval Office, but it was moved to the Cabinet Room. There were many people in the room including Australian journalists, reporters, but also members of the Trump administration. And I think most analysts are declaring this as a success for Anthony Albanese today.
Adam Creighton is the Chief Economist with the Institute of Public Affairs, but is a former U.S. correspondent with The Australian. So understands how the White House works and how the relationship between Australia and the United States is developing. G’day, Adam.
Adam Creighton :
Thanks for having me.
Clinton Maynard:
Do you believe this meeting was a success?
Adam Creighton :
Yes, look, I think more or less it was. I think before the meeting occurred, there were quite understandable concerns that it wouldn’t have gone well. It had been nine months I think and the Prime Minister had still not met the U.S. President, which was somewhat embarrassing because we’re obviously one of the U.S.’s closest allies. And the President had met various other leaders, sometimes more than once. And of course, there’s a lot of policy differences both domestic and foreign between Australia and the U.S. But given all that, Trump was very gracious and was very nice to the Prime Minister. He said he was a great guy and he pretty much affirmed AUKUS. There was a lot of concern, obviously, that there’s a review at the moment in the Pentagon and they haven’t finalised it yet, but the conclusion now seems to be out. Trump said that the submarines are going to Australia is a great idea. He’s all gung ho about it.
And then, of course, there was a critical minerals deal and there was really no mention of their differences on climate change policy or the Middle East or anything like that. So look, I think it was a win for the government. I think it was a loss for Kevin Rudd. And I think that’s more the story, the fact that Rudd hasn’t stood aside of his own volition, in my view, because the government’s in an awkward position I think. They’ve got this ambassador there who said these horrible things about the U.S. President. And the President himself, he actually referred to them, of course. And yet Rudd’s still there. So I think our former Prime Minister should use his extensive contacts to try to get another job elsewhere. That’s my thought.
Clinton Maynard:
Is he a liability to Kevin Rudd? Because I would assume that behind the scenes he’s played a significant role in setting up the meeting. And with what’s been achieved with AUKUS and the critical minerals deal, surely, Kevin Rudd and I guess his staff have played a key role there.
Adam Creighton :
Yes. Well, certainly, he’s very respected amongst the diplomatic corps in Washington because he’s very educated. He’s got a PhD in I think Chinese economic theory. He’s very bright, obviously, as we all know back here, and he likes to let you know it. So he’s very respected by those people. But is he respected by the people who actually work in the White House? I’d say probably not. And there are all sorts of quotes throughout the press from unnamed sources saying that they did not like him. And that’s probably fair enough. I mean, to say the ridiculous things he said, that Trump was the most destructive President in U.S. history and was a traitor, these are very silly things to have said.
And also even sillier to have left them on Twitter, to have left them on social media for so long I think even when it was clear that Trump was going to win. That shows very poor tact there, I think. So look, I think that’s the weak point now. But look, you can’t deny I think it was a win for Albanese and I think you’ll see Labour government crying about this for a few weeks.
Clinton Maynard:
Well, I spoke with a very senior Labour Party MP today in State Parliament on Macquarie Street in New South Wales, and he said to me that, “Well, look, Donald Trump isn’t saying anything about Kevin Rudd that most or at least half the Labour MPs don’t believe.”
Adam Creighton :
Yes, that’s pretty true. And, actually, Trump himself I thought was very gracious. He could have been far nastier.
Clinton Maynard:
Absolutely.
Adam Creighton :
He made light of it and he just showed that he’s a real statesman. He’s constantly attacked by the left for being this and that. But if you look at the actual words Trump uses, I thought he was very gracious and very nice to the Prime Minister. Let’s face it, Trump and Albanese have very little in common, but Trump was very nice to him. So I think he’s very statesman-like, Trump, when he needs to be.
Clinton Maynard:
Just on the critical minerals aspect of this $8.5 billion deal, how important is that for us?
Adam Creighton :
Well, look, there’s always these big numbers and journalists like big numbers, but I think we have to wait quite a few years. The reality is that China controls 90% of this market. It’s actually a very small market really in terms of volume. I don’t know the actual figures, but it’s nothing like coal or iron ore. It’s tiny. It’s just that the substances themselves are extremely important and China for many years has made sure that it has all of them. And now it has the whip hand in that market because these rare earths have to go in mobile phones, lots of defence technology, lots of weapons.
So look, it remains to be seen. There’s big numbers out there, but there’s still an extraordinary amount of regulations that make the mining of rare earths hard. And actually they’re not rare. They’re actually very common. They’re everywhere. It’s just that they’re very hard to extract.
Clinton Maynard:
Great to talk to you. Thank you for your time, Adam.
Adam Creighton :
Thanks. Okay. Thank you.
Clinton Maynard:
Adam Creighton , who’s the Chief Economist with the Institute of Public Affairs, but was a U.S. correspondent with The Australian and has experience with working with the White House and working in the White House as a correspondent.
This transcript with Adam Creighton on Sydney Now 2GB has been edited for clarity.
