Albanese’s victory in the Australian election is expected to enhance his position with the United States

Following a significant electoral victory, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is anticipated to enhance collaboration with centre-left governments in Britain and Canada, along with other democratic partners, as analysts suggest this will bolster his position in negotiations with the U.S. Albanese’s Labor Party capitalized on a voter backlash against former President Donald Trump‘s policies, achieving a comeback victory that increased his parliamentary majority, mirroring the recent reelection of Canada’s ruling party.

After his cabinet is officially sworn in, Albanese is likely to travel to Washington for talks regarding U.S. tariffs and defense issues, while also engaging with Asian and European nations to expand export markets and defense partnerships, thereby reducing dependence on the U.S. He positioned himself as a stable choice for voters amid global instability, contrasting with conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton, who faced comparisons to Trump, according to former Liberal Party strategists analyzing their defeat.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers noted on Sunday that the government faces global challenges ahead. ‘People recognized that if they wanted stability during turbulent times in the global economy, a majority Labor government was the optimal solution,’ he stated in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Chalmers emphasized that his immediate priority is addressing global economic uncertainty, particularly the effects of tariff disputes between the United States, Australia’s primary security ally, and China, its largest trading partner. Analysts predict that the Labor Party will gain additional seats in parliament, further solidifying Albanese’s leverage in dealings with the White House.

‘When the world’s most powerful nation seems unpredictable and unreliable, it is prudent to diversify your alliances,’ remarked Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute, who anticipates Australia will strengthen its relationships with Canada, Britain, and other democracies across Europe and Asia.

No other nation can take the place of the United States as Australia’s primary security partner, he remarked. Although Trump’s policies are not well-received in Australia, a Lowy Institute survey indicated that 80% of Australians view the U.S. alliance as crucial for their security.

Fullilove pointed out that Albanese has yet to meet Trump face-to-face, stating, ‘It’s difficult to imagine two leaders more dissimilar.’ An ongoing count by the Australian Electoral Commission reveals that Labor has secured at least 82 out of 150 seats, thereby enhancing its majority in the House of Representatives. Arthur Sinodinos, who served as Australia’s ambassador in Washington during the negotiation of the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement—Australia’s largest defense initiative—emphasized the necessity of having a majority government when engaging with the United States, Australia’s key ally.

Sinodinos, now a partner at The Asia Group think tank in Washington and a former Liberal minister, noted that Albanese should visit the U.S. soon to discuss trade and defense with Trump, adding, ‘Trump prefers to associate with winners.’ Sinodinos also mentioned that Albanese did not attend Trump’s inauguration to avoid potential backlash from voters prioritizing domestic issues and had been cautious not to personally criticize Trump during the election campaign.

‘He focused more on the Americanization of policy, which was clearly a subtle message to the electorate,’ he remarked. In contrast to the conservatives, Labor refrained from committing to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP during the election, despite a request from Washington, arguing that it had already pledged an additional A$50 billion over the next decade, aiming for 2.33% of GDP by 2033-34. Albanese stated during the campaign that defense spending could rise if strategic conditions warranted it.

On Sunday, Albanese mentioned that the first leader to reach out with congratulations was James Marape, the leader of Papua New Guinea. Australia has significantly enhanced its aid and security relations with this northern neighbor to prevent China from establishing a policing role, as Beijing increases its security footprint in the Pacific Islands. Leaders in the Pacific Islands, a region heavily dependent on aid, have been unsettled by Trump’s dismissive approach to climate change, which they see as a critical threat, along with the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Albanese also noted receiving personal messages from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, and he was set to converse on Sunday with the leaders of Indonesia and Ukraine. ‘We will continue to support Ukraine,’ he stated.

Albanese has engaged in video conferences with the British-led ‘coalition of the willing’ and previously indicated that Australia could offer unspecified assistance to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed gratitude on X on Saturday evening for Australia’s ‘principled stance on ending Russia’s war.’ Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also commented on X: ‘In an increasingly divided world, Canada and Australia are close partners and the most reliable of friends.’