Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he should not “not surrender” after his leader was criticized by Donald Trump in a late-night social media post.
The U.S. president said that on Sunday night on a midnight social platform in Washington, D.C., Turnbull led Australia from “the back” and did not understand China.
“Malcolm Turnbull is the former Prime Minister of Australia and he has been leading this wonderful country from behind. I always thought he was a weak and ineffective leader and obviously the Australians agreed with me!!!”
The post appears to be a response to an interview awarded by Turnbull, who said Trump’s chaotic leadership style would benefit China, which hurts the United States.
President Xi Jinping’s goal is to be the exact opposite of Trump: where Trump is in chaos, he will be consistent. Trump’s rude and abused place, he will respect it. He will remain consistent in Trump’s unstable place. ”
Turnbull said the world saw an “undiluted” version of Trump during his second term, and his repeated actions would be considered favorable to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s international relations.
For countries forced to choose between “China on the one hand and Trump on the other”, many “discover China as a more attractive partner.”
Turnbull contacted the Guardian, who “talked to himself” to Bloomberg’s comments.
“his [Trump’s] The Post proved that my comments met the goal,” the former prime minister said.
Turnbull said on Monday night to Sarah Ferguson on ABC’s 7.30 that Trump’s comments were “rude and abusive” and doubled in comments that the U.S. president was driving closer to China.
“If Trump abuses them, tries to bully them, imposes serious tariffs on them, they will naturally be closer to China,” the former prime minister said.
But Turnbull also argues that “partners” against Trump will not bring ideal results for leaders around the world.
“The reality is – if you are bullied, whether it’s global affairs or on the playground, you become even more bullied.
“I mean, we’re just going to be a bunch of Mrs. Conka, climb over the White House, pay tribute to this guy and tell him he’s a genius? That’s ridiculous!”
Turnbull also said he believed Trump regretted after he exempted the steel tariffs to the Turnbull administration in 2018: “Because at that time he had to give others exemptions, and…soon after, too many countries were exempted.”
Turnbull said he believes the United States will not exempt this time.
“And you know, trying to make Albanese fail because of the most unlikely thing he could succeed,” he said.
Trump and Turnbull have history. The two shared a fierce call in 2017 about the U.S.-Australia refugee swap deal negotiated by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama.
Trump said it was a bad deal and accepting it would make him look like a “paint”.
“I’ve had it. I’ve been making these calls all day, and it’s the most unpleasant call all day. Putin was a pleasant call. It’s ridiculous,” Trump said shortly before the call ended.
But at other times, the two looked friendly. Turnbull has said that Trump would have mentioned Kerry Packer before even when meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Turnbull served as prime minister from 2015 to 2018. When he lost to Scott Morrison’s leadership, he did not lose his post in the election, but instead passed a leak from the internal Liberal Party.
