Cut him some slack: Dutton says Trump relationship needs different approach

“For purposes of this United States Policy, we will consider Countries that use the VAT System, which is far more punitive than a Tariff, to be similar to that of a Tariff,” he wrote.

“Provisions will be made for Nonmonetary Tariffs and Trade Barriers that some Countries charge in order to keep our product out of their domain or, if they do not even let US businesses operate.”

Dutton noted that US opinion polls show Trump being rewarded by American voters for his approach.

Dutton criticised the government’s handling of the relationship with Trump, arguing recent talks between Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and senior members of the US government proved more that had to be done.

“With respect, Richard Marles is a nice guy but he’s batting fairly significantly down the list in terms of the government’s key hitters,” Mr Dutton said.

“He went [to the US] with an $800 million cheque, or whatever the figure was, and it doesn’t seem to have made any difference at all.”

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Some elements of the Coalition have pressed for current ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, to be dropped from that position if Dutton wins this year’s federal election.

But Dutton said he believed at this stage Rudd should stay.

“My instinct would be to leave him in the job. But if there are insurmountable problems that he has or that the administration has with him, then that would make it very difficult,” he said.

Dutton said the main issue for the coming election was cost-of-living, noting many families were continuing to struggle to make ends meet.

One of the biggest hits to families has been the cost of insurance which, since the start of 2022, has climbed by 35 per cent.

Dutton said some issues, such as the prices charged by global reinsurers, was beyond the control of a government. But he said a Coalition government may take direct action against domestic insurers to bring down policy prices.

“We need depth in the insurance pool, and we need to make sure that we’re not being ripped off by insurance companies,” he said.

“As we’ve done with the supermarkets, where we have threatened divestment if consumers are being ripped off, similarly in the insurance market, we will intervene to make sure that consumers get a fair go.”

Pressed on whether the Coalition would promise tax cuts at the election, Dutton said much would be determined by the health of the federal budget which is forecast to be in deficit for the next four years.

“We want to reduce taxes wherever possible, but we’ll be dictated to by how much money is left in the bank. We’re not going to act in an irresponsible way,” Dutton said.

“If we can afford tax cuts, then they’ll be delivered.”

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