A big beautiful day for US diplomacy in Canberra? Under Trump, the doors are closed
American ambassadors of past years knew the value of soft diplomacy, and July 4 – America's Independence Day – was prime time for exercising it.
The vast red-brick pile that is the US Embassy, perched atop a hill in Canberra's dress-circle suburb of Yarralumla, was thrown open for singularly down-home American-style celebrations on or around Independence Day.
Hot dogs with bright yellow American mustard were served along with burgers, fried chicken, popcorn and jugs of Coke. Red, white and blue balloons floated above. The ambassador gave a stirring speech celebrating the bonds of friendship between his or her nation and Australia.
Everyone in attendance was made to feel a bit special.
Not this July 4, however.
Six months into the second Trump administration, and there is still no ambassador to Australia.
Perhaps it has slipped Donald Trump's mind that down in the South Pacific somewhere exists a place that is a paying member of AUKUS.
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