Trump presidency raises questions about military alliance

SBS World News Radio: Despite questions raised by the election of Donald Trump to the United States presidency, Australian officials insist the US-Australian defence alliance is stronger than ever.Australia's military has fought alongside the United States in every major conflict of the past hundred years.But now there may be a fundamental rethink of what has been one of the world's most enduring military friendships.

Trump presidency raises questions about military alliance

Trump presidency raises questions about military alliance

An eagle monument watches over Canberra, a symbol of Australia's gratitude for the United States' sacrifice in World War Two.

But with a Donald Trump US presidency now a reality, how does the US-Australia military relationship stand?

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has moved to reassure Australians the alliance remains strong.

"We have no stronger relationship, whether it is on the battlefield or in commerce, than we have with the United States."

But is it that important to Donald Trump?

Far from courting allies during the election campaign, he criticised them.

He said they were not doing their share because they did not dedicate 2 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product to defence spending.

In October, he suggested:

"Our country cannot afford to defend Saudi Arabia, Japan, Germany, South Korea and many other places."

The Australian Defence Association's Neil James says he still believes Australia will remain an important ally to US officials.

"They're unlikely to accuse us of being a strategic bludger, and, as long as we don't bludge on them, we're probably not going to have a problem."

Donald Trump has promised to pursue aggressive military operations to crush the self-proclaimed Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

It is a loosely defined policy in a region where Australia has hundreds of its own troops.

But Neil James says it may be too soon to worry about a change in mission.

"ISIS looks like losing most of its territory in the near term before a Trump administration can even get reasonably organised."

But while Australia's defence outlook appears stable for now, there are immediate concerns over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, deal.

The 12-country trade deal, which includes Australia, has been signed but not ratified, and Donald Trump has loudly proclaimed plans to back out of it.

Malcolm Turnbull has argued for keeping the partnership.

"It's in Australia's national interests. We believe it makes (sense) ... and the argument that we have put to the United States is that it is in America's strategic interest."

But Raymond Chan, from the wealth-management firm Morgans Group, says, even if the deal falls through, it is unlikely to have a huge impact on Australia.

"Only about 5 per cent of our export is going to the US. So it's not the end of the world if the TPP deal is not going through."

 

 

 






Share
3 min read
Published 10 November 2016 10:00pm

Share this with family and friends