Australian Defence boss praises Trump’s national security strategy as concern grows over Greenland threats

The Defence Department Secretary has declared the US alliance “more important than ever” and praised Donald Trump’s national security strategy as “reassuring” for Australia despite growing concerns about the President’s threats towards Greenland.

During a visit to Washington, Secretary Greg Moriarty has met with senior US officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, to discuss various joint military initiatives such as the AUKUS submarine partnership.

In an interview with a leading US defence and national security think tank, Mr Moriarty has described the “vital role” that Australia’s closest ally plays in promoting stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Reading the (2025) United States National Security Strategy from a defence perspective, we were very reassured by the commitment in that National Security Strategy to the Indo-Pacific”.

“We are in very challenging times, the key judgement in our 2024 National Defence Strategy was that Australia’s strategic circumstances have declined,” he told the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

“And that’s why core to our National Defence Strategy was the vital role that the United States plays in terms of stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific,” the Defence Secretary added.

“We are now working on the 2026 National Defence Strategy, and I say our judgement continues to be that the strategic circumstances are challenging, and that overall trend continues”.

The Secretary’s comments have emerged on the same day Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney declared the US-led global system of governance was enduring “a rupture,” defined by great power competition and a “fading” rules-based order.

Prime Minister’s Carney’s speech to political and financial elites at the World Economic Forum in Davos was delivered amid an escalating row over President Trump’s bid to seize control of Greenland from Denmark.

“Stop invoking the ‘rules-based international order’ as though it still functions as advertised,” said Mr Carney, who won a landslide election last year after an anti-Trump backlash over his campaign to incorporate Canada as the 51st state.

“Call the system what it is: a period where the most powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as a weapon of coercion.”

“Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.

“Let me be direct: we are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition,” the Prime Minister said, receiving a standing ovation from his audience in Switzerland.

At a White House press conference on Wednesday morning Australian time, President Trump said he was confident a deal would be reached on Greenland, but when asked how far he would go to secure the arctic territory, he replied: “You’ll find out.”

The Albanese government has consistently declined to criticise the actions of its ally and AUKUS partner but has instead repeatedly asserted the dispute is “a matter for Denmark and Greenland”.

Visit to Washington fuels speculation on Ambassador job

This month’s visit to the United States by the Defence Secretary has coincided with the resignation of Australia’s Ambassador to Washington Kevin Rudd, fuelling speculation the Albanese government could appoint him to fill the crucial diplomatic vacancy.

One senior government minister tells The Nightly the Secretary’s public statements while in Washington have been well received and he would be “one of the better public servant options if we don’t choose a political figure”.

Former Labor Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon is considered by many in government ranks to be the most likely next Australian ambassador to Washington, and this week declared he was ready to serve if asked.

Another Labor figure claimed Mr Moriarty would be an unusual choice for the crucial Washington post, but if appointed would be suitably “compliant” for Foreign Minister Penny Wong and also allow Defence Minister Richard Marles to revamp his department.