Washington: US President Donald Trump has renewed his accusations that Australia has not done enough to help him in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, while ignoring Canberra’s recently announced hike in defence expenditure.
Asked about the announcement – which was partly to assuage criticism from Washington about Australia’s low military spending – Trump initially said “we’re gonna see what happens” and then spoke about the US success in Iran.
Asked again, he launched into a condemnation of Australia for not helping with the war – specifically with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“I’m not happy with Australia because they were not there when we asked them to be there,” he said.
“Australia is another one. They were not there having to do with Hormuz. So I’m not happy.”
Trump made the comments while taking questions as he left the White House on Thursday (Friday morning AEST).
He did not respond to further shouted questions about whether he was still on good terms with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Australia has agreed to participate in “appropriate efforts” to help reopen the strait at the right time, along with dozens of other countries.
Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.Connect via X or email.