A recent poll has revealed a startling shift in the Australian public's perception of the United States under President Donald Trump. It's a bold statement, but the numbers don't lie: Australians are increasingly distancing themselves from the values and policies of Trump's America.
The poll, conducted by YouGov for the Australia Institute, paints a clear picture. Only a minuscule 8% of Australians strongly agree that our country shares fundamental values with the US under Trump's leadership. This is a stark contrast to the commonly held belief that Australia and the US are natural allies.
But here's where it gets controversial... over half of Australians believe Trump's election has had negative consequences, not just for the US, but for Australia and the world at large.
When it comes to security, the results are even more eye-opening. Almost half of Australians (48%) feel less secure since Trump's election, with only a small fraction (13%) feeling more secure. This sentiment is further reflected in the perception of the US as a security partner, with a nearly even split between those who still view the US as reliable and those who disagree.
Despite these concerns, the AUKUS agreement has received mixed reactions. While a significant portion of Australians believe the agreement enhances our safety and serves our best interests, a majority still support a parliamentary inquiry into the deal.
And this is the part most people miss... the AUKUS agreement, though broadly supported by politicians in all three countries, was not orchestrated by Trump, nor by the current UK or Australian Prime Ministers.
The polling also revealed a deep-seated unease among Australians towards Trump's America. Half of us believe the US has become less democratic under Trump, and an equal number would feel unsafe travelling there.
Dr Emma Shortis, director of the Australia Institute's international and security affairs program, sums it up perfectly: "Australians are deeply concerned about what is happening in the United States today. These numbers suggest that Australians are far from convinced that we share values with Donald Trump's America."
The polling was conducted in late October, after Prime Minister Albanese's meeting with Trump in the White House. Despite the meeting being deemed a success, it seems it hasn't changed the minds of many Australians.
So, what do you think? Is this a fair assessment of the Australian public's sentiment? Or do you see it differently? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
