Kevin Rudd Quits as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States

Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, will step down at the end of March to take up a role with the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), an international relations think tank.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Rudd’s decision to leave a year early was “entirely” his own.

By the end of March, the former prime minister will have served three years in the ambassador role, including 14 months as an emissary to the Trump administration.

Relations between the two men have not been smooth due to Rudd’s past criticism of the U.S president.

In 2024, video of a 2021 interview emerged in which Rudd described the U.S president as “a village idiot” and “not a leading intellectual force.”

Before that, he wrote on social media that Trump was the “most destructive president” in U.S. history and a “traitor to the West.”

During a meeting between Albanese and Trump in October 2025, at which Rudd was present, the U.S. president was asked by the media about his reaction to the ambassador’s past comments.

“I don’t know anything about him. If he said bad, maybe he’d like to apologise. I really don’t know,” he said.

When Rudd acknowledged that he did make those comments before assuming the ambassador role, Trump told him, “I don’t like you either, and probably never will.”

Rudd later reportedly apologised to the president off camera, to which Trump replied: “All is forgiven.”

Following the meeting, the Opposition called for Rudd to be removed from his position. However, this was rejected by Albanese who praised Rudd as an “outstanding” ambassador, saying that he “works his guts out.”

Albanese Government Praises Rudd’s Achievements

Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong issue a statement thanking Rudd for his “tireless contribution to our national interests over the last three years in Washington.”

They also listed out several of his achievements in the role, including securing bipartisan Congressional support for AUKUS, negotiating and concluding the Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Framework Agreement with the United States, and working to secure Wikileaks founder Julian Assange’s return to Australia.

During a press conference on Jan. 13, Wong said Rudd’s work had helped strengthen the Australian economy and security for “decades to come.”

“I have seen firsthand just how hard he works, not just over the last three years, but throughout his public life. He’s always brought an extraordinary level of energy and discipline to public service,” she said.

“He applied his relentless effort, his experience, intellect and determination to advance Australia’s interests in Washington, and … has served the nation well.”

Albanese also called Rudd “one of the world’s most eminent and sought-after experts on China and US–China relations,” while noting that his replacement would be named in due course.

Rudd previously headed ASPI from 2021 to 2023. Upon his return, the outgoing ambassador will serve as the think tank’s president and lead its Centre for China Analysis.

“I am honored that the Board has chosen me for this important and impactful role,” he said in a statement.

“Asia Society is respected as one of the smartest, leading-edge, and distinguished institutions in the global think tank, artistic, and cultural diplomacy communities and I have been fortunate to have already played a part in its success.”

Rudd was Australia’s prime minister between 2007 and 2010, and briefly again in 2013.