Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, will leave his post months ahead of schedule, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday, following a tenure marked by diplomatic successes and political friction with President Donald Trump.
Rudd, a former Australian prime minister, will conclude his posting in March and return to lead the Asia Society think tank. Albanese said the move was initiated by Rudd himself and would not alter the strength of ties between Canberra and Washington.
“Australia and the United States are the closest of friends and allies, and this will never change,” Albanese told reporters. He added that the government would continue advancing the work Rudd had led, including major security and trade initiatives.
During his time in Washington, Rudd helped secure ongoing backing from the Trump administration for the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership, Australia’s largest defense project. He also played a role in negotiating a critical minerals agreement aimed at strengthening supply chains between the two countries.
However, Rudd’s relationship with Trump had drawn attention well before his appointment. Prior to becoming ambassador, Rudd publicly criticized Trump, once calling him “the most destructive president in history,” a remark later deleted from social media after his nomination.
The issue resurfaced in October during a White House event attended by Albanese, when Trump gestured toward Rudd and said, “I don’t like you either, and I probably never will.”
Despite pressure from Australia’s opposition to remove Rudd over those comments, Albanese said at the time that the ambassador would complete his full four year term.
On Tuesday, Albanese stressed that the early departure was not politically driven. “This was entirely Kevin Rudd’s decision,” he said, adding that a replacement would be announced at a later date.
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A White House official offered a brief response, telling Reuters that Rudd had worked effectively with the administration and was wished well in his next role.
In a post on X, Rudd said he would remain based in the United States and focus on research and dialogue around US China relations, which he described as central to regional and global stability. He also noted that he recently hosted a dinner for Pentagon Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, who led a review of AUKUS last year.
