Sarah Abo, Host: Well, more now on the Prime Minister's face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump in the White House this morning. Nine months in the making. Foreign Minister Penny Wong joins us live now from Canberra. Senator, good morning to you. Good to see you. The meeting, it's finally happened. They had a bit to get through. Ticked a lot of boxes. Nothing for the PM to fear after all.
Foreign Minister, Penny Wong: Good morning, good to be with you. And look, what a great success. The meeting was a clear success. We had the President talking about how much he loves Australia; the President backing in AUKUS and the delivery of the submarines; and of course an $8.5 billion US dollar critical minerals deal signed between the President and the Prime Minister. So, great success for the country and confirms the approach the government's taken.
Abo: Success, but also relief comes to mind, doesn't it Senator? I mean let's, let's break that down a bit. You've touched on a few things there. The critical minerals deal, obviously great to get that signed off on. It is, of course, off the back of the US trade war with China. That void was always going to be filled. But does that in turn risk our relationship with China? I mean, they won't like this.
Foreign Minister: We act in our national interest and it's in our national interest to make sure we work with the United States to ensure security of supply of critical minerals. These are so important for the 21st century economy. They're important for our defence industries, and they're important for energy security. So, it is a good thing to work with our ally and partner to assure the supply of critical minerals.
Abo: At the expense of our relationship with China?
Foreign Minister: Well, we are assuring the supply of critical minerals for our economies and a contribution to the US economy and to global supply - that's a good thing.
Abo: All right, nothing to say here then.
Foreign Minister: I think it's a good thing that we're working with the US on this, and we know that critical minerals are critical in name and in actuality for the 21st century economy. So, securing supply is a good thing.
Abo: All right. We also seem to have our strongest commitment yet from the President that the AUKUS deal is going ahead. And that one is a big relief considering how many billions we're spending on this and how many years we're going to wait to receive them.
Foreign Minister: Look, the AUKUS submarine capability is all About ensuring Australia has a capability where we can contribute to the peace in the Indo-Pacific. It's About deterrence; it's About making sure that we can contribute to the stability and peace of our region. So, that is a good thing. And yes, you're right, it was great to hear the President backing in the deal and saying that we would receive the submarines.
Abo: Alright, well now, I know you've seen this, but just in case you haven't, here it is again.
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Abo: Penny. That is as awkward as it gets. I mean he basically told Kevin Rudd he would probably never like him. Does that make his position, Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the US, a bit untenable?
Foreign Minister: Look, I think anyone looking at that knows that was tongue-in-cheek. We heard the laughter. We know that we had a very successful meeting and full credit to Kevin. Ambassador Rudd has worked so hard on firstly getting this agreement. He's worked so hard on assuring AUKUS and the delivery of the submarines in our national interest. And he's worked so hard on the critical minerals deal. That's been something he's really worked through the administration. So, the success of this meeting is in great part due to the work that Kevin Rudd has been doing in the United States.
Abo: How can we have an ambassador though that the President doesn't like?
Foreign Minister: Look, you know, I just don't think what you're saying is borne out by what we have.
Abo: He said it. The US President said it.
Foreign Minister: Hang on, Sarah. We had a meeting which was a clear success. We had a meeting where our national interest was affirmed. We had a meeting where the President of the United States talked about how much he loves Australia. We had a meeting where the President of the United States backs in AUKUS and the submarines, and we signed an excellent critical minerals deal.
Abo: Are you saying the US President's full of hot air then?
Foreign Minister: No, I'm saying, I'm saying that the meeting was a success.
Abo: Ok, let's move on. That dangerously close. This is very serious of course. That dangerously close call with Chinese fighter jet. Senator, how is that acceptable? I mean they released flares right next to an RAAF plane with our pilots on board. This is more than just sending a message. It's a clear indication the Chinese have no regard for international protocol and no respect for Australia.
Foreign Minister: This action was unsafe and unprofessional. We've made that clear publicly, and we've made that clear through representations. The safety of our personnel is our first priority, and we have been very clear About our view on this.
Abo: You need more than words, don't you, though, Senator?
Foreign Minister: Well, China has been clear and consistent in its intent to project power into the region. We have been clear, along with our partners, that we will continue to assert our rights under international law. Our right of overflight, our right of freedom of navigation. We will continue to do that along with our partners in the region. That is in our national interests.
Abo: So, no ramifications?
Foreign Minister: Well, what we would say to China is it's not only unsafe and unprofessional, but it is highly risky, and we will not step back from asserting our rights in international waters and in international airspace.
Abo: Can China be trusted?
Foreign Minister: Well, I've been asked that before, I think by Karl, and I said, I trust China to act in its interests. I trust our country to act in our interests. And that is what the government is doing.
Abo: And the two are not aligned, it would seem. Penidor. Penidor? Senator Penny Wong.
Foreign Minister: That's new. That's like a compound noun, isn't it?
Abo: Look, you can call me Sabo or...whatever just to make up for it. Thanks for joining us this morning.
Foreign Minister: Have a good day.
Karl Stefanovic, Host: It won't surprise the Senator that I don't know what a compound noun is.