James Curran

2 weeks ago | johnmenadue.com | James Curran

Too little thought has been given to the future of the Australian economy against the backdrop of a protectionist America. Donald Trump’s grasp of history in Washington last week revealed a harsh truth for Australia. Namely, that too little thought has been given to  the nation’s economic future against the backdrop of a protectionist America . Anthony Albanese phoned Keir Starmer first to discuss the US tariffs, when surely he should have contacted South-East Asian leaders.

2 weeks ago | afr.com | James Curran

Apr 6, 2025 – 3.19pm or Subscribe to save articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Donald Trump’s grasp for history in Washington last week revealed a harsh truth for Australia. Namely, that too little thought has been given to the nation’s economic future against the backdrop of a protectionist America. Loading... James Curran is professor of modern history at Sydney University.

3 weeks ago | afr.com | James Curran

Donald Trump chose the White House Rose Garden, once an iconic setting for displays of American power, to unleash a ferocious attack on the international economic system and on American influence and prestige. The announcement played first and foremost into Trump’s vanity and hunger for attention, but it will go down as the day the global trading regime we have known for the best part of 80 years ended. Loading...

3 weeks ago | johnmenadue.com | James Curran

The sense of urgency and rapid change that has pervaded the discussion today [31 March] has not obscured the fact that, as we know, this issue of the abrupt change in the relationship with the United States has been coming since at least Trump’s first term. And really from the disaster of Iraq and the 2008 global financial crisis. Yet, for many in Australia, the tendency is to deny it and hold fast to the ANZUS security blanket.

3 weeks ago | johnmenadue.com | James Curran

The US is ignoring the rain of shrapnel that falls onto allies including Australia from its trade clashes with China. The spectre of Donald Trump stalks Joe Bidens White House and other corridors of power in Washington. A recent Iowa poll showed that Trump would win the state comfortably if a poll were held now, despite a disapproval rating of 99 per cent among Democrats. Trumps popularity there is higher now than when he was president.