New poll suggests Trump causes Australians to form unfavourable view of US

The annual Lowy Institute poll 'Understanding Australian Attitudes to the World' released on Wednesday shows Australians aren't keen about Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump extends his hand to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during their meeting on May 4

President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during their meeting on May 4 Source: AAP

Australia's relationship with the United States remains strong but some of us harbour concerns about having Donald Trump in the White House, a nationwide survey has found.

Six out of 10 Australians said the first-term US president had caused them to have an unfavourable view of the US, the annual Lowy Institute poll found.

But 77 per cent support the Australia-US alliance, a view shared by Labor leader Bill Shorten.

"Whatever spins out of American domestic politics, that's a matter for the yanks," he told reporters in Canberra.

The percentage of people concerned about President Trump was nine points fewer than those who had concerns about for George W Bush at the end of his presidency.

Government minister Anne Ruston insisted the relationship between the two nations was good for business.

"We all have a play in the playground, and one day Jenny's your best friend and the next day young Sally is," she said.

Veteran Liberal Senator Chris Back, in his last week of politics before retirement, said the US would always be Australia's most important strategic partner.

"I think Mr Trump has got more to do in terms of learning his job," he said.


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Published 21 June 2017 12:46pm
Updated 21 June 2017 12:55pm
Source: AAP


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