Dutton aims for stronger U.S. ties and defense spending

Peter Dutton, the leader of the opposition in Australia, is preparing for the possibility of becoming Prime Minister. He shared his thoughts on how he would handle international relationships, particularly with the United States and China. In a recent speech, Dutton emphasized that he would be able to deal with Donald Trump, citing the previous government’s successful management of relations during Trump’s first term. He plans to prioritize a visit to Washington if he becomes Prime Minister. However, he acknowledged that Australia's interests do not always align with those of its closest allies. Dutton has taken a more moderate stance on China, balancing criticism of its military actions with a desire to strengthen trade ties. He recognizes the importance of the Chinese-Australian vote in upcoming elections. On foreign conflicts, Dutton criticized the current government's approach to the war in Ukraine and its decision to potentially deploy troops in Europe. He believes that the costs of such a commitment are too high for Australia. Dutton also expressed significant concerns about Labor's handling of relations with Israel. He promised a shift in policy, stating that he would work to restore support for Israel in the United Nations if he becomes Prime Minister. The Coalition is arguing for increased spending on defense, with discussions of raising it to around 2.5% of GDP by 2029. However, specifics about how this would affect other areas of policy remain unclear. Dutton's speech raised questions about aid to Pacific countries and whether a future Coalition government would increase or cut overall aid budgets. With many details still missing, observers are keen to understand how Dutton plans to reshape Australia's foreign policy priorities.