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Kevin Rudd

Australian politician Kevin Rudd replaced his former deputy Julia Gillard as prime minister and leader of the Labor Party on 27 June 2013. Rudd previously served as prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and leader of the Labor Party from 2006 to 2010. A former diplomat and Chinese-speaker, Rudd is the first former Australian prime minister to return to office since Robert Menzies in 1949.

Born

21 Sep 1957

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Politician

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (left) and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham speak as they attend a bilateral meeting in Everton, Britain, on September 16. Photo: Reuters

Australia

Opinion | Canada is flying the flag for middle powers standing up to US bullying

As the US shifts away from its commitment to global primacy, these Anglosphere nations have the potential to be a pivotal force for global stability.

30 Oct 2026 - 8:58AM

US-China relations

US-China strategic competition to keep escalating as world watches on, Rudd says

24 Oct 2026 - 6:51AM

US-China relations

Asia Society announces new permanent home in historic Washington building

23 Oct 2026 - 7:07AM

Japan

In US-China rivalry, middle powers urged to be ‘indispensable’ chokepoints

By embedding deeply into supply chains, smaller countries that fear being squeezed out of global decision-making can offer a ‘best’ dish.

14 Oct 2026 - 9:01PM

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has described the shift among countries towards more diversified trade relationships as an expansion of global leadership. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US-China trade truce remains ‘fragile’ after Xi-Trump summit, analysts say

Asia Society experts say modest economic gains leave deeper disputes unresolved, as Washington tests Beijing with a short extension.

30 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, China need nuclear-style AI safeguards, congressman says before Xi summit

Top Democrat on the House China committee calls for international inspections of leading AI laboratories and a ban on self-improving systems.

22 Sep 2026 - 6:56AM

US-China relations

‘Normal stability’: US-China Track 1.5 talks offer formula for ties

Senior party official Liu Haixing uses unofficial discussions to make the case for disagreements to remain ‘controllable’.

26 Aug 2026 - 12:29AM

The dialogue in Beijing comes just weeks ahead of a trip to the US by Chinese President Xi Jinping, his first state visit to the country since 2015. Photo: Handout

United States

Not ‘Trump-compatible’? China expert Rudd exits Australia’s US ambassador role

Kevin ‌Rudd left his post a year ‍earlier than planned following criticism from US President Donald Trump at White House meeting in October.

14 Jan 2026 - 6:34AM

Australia

Australian ambassador hated by Trump to leave US post early

Kevin ‌Rudd, who criticised Trump before he became envoy, will head the Asia Society think tank after finishing his posting in March.

13 Jan 2026 - 8:59AM

US-China relations

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

In an echo of the Cold War, mistranslations are testing already strained nerves in Washington and Beijing.

27 Oct 2025 - 11:38PM

Nikita Khrushchev, then leader of the Soviet Union, addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 1960. Photo: Getty Images

Australia

Doing ‘fantastic job’: Australian PM defends envoy Rudd amid Trump’s dislike

The prime minister described comments by the US president that he does not like the diplomat as ‘lighthearted’.

22 Oct 2025 - 10:15AM

Australia

Trump’s return sparks fears over Aukus submarine deal and Indo-Pacific stability

While some analysts believe the alliance remains strong, others fear Trump’s transactional approach could lead to instability.

15 Nov 2024 - 1:07PM

US-China relations

US official defends mix of diplomacy and competition with China in Indo-Pacific

Daniel Kritenbrink of State Department says dealing with Beijing in the region requires ‘intense’ statecraft and communications.

18 Sep 2024 - 5:03AM

US-China relations

‘Differing US and Chinese objectives will limit Xi-Biden meeting outcomes’

Singapore arrived at its positions on China-US relations ‘not because we want to please one side or the other, but because of our own particular circumstances’, says envoy to US Lui Tuck Yew.

4 Nov 2023 - 8:17AM

Australia

Australia panned ‘ridiculous’ Aukus delays. Now Britain is asking questions too

The head of Britain ’s Royal Navy has joined Australia in questioning US bureaucratic hurdles facing the three-country Aukus project to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

18 Oct 2023 - 9:33AM

A nuclear-powered submarine of the US Navy is seen docked at a port on the outskirts of Perth, Australia, in August. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Opinion | Biden is pushing China towards a conflict it doesn’t want

Washington’s policy shift on China, instigated by Trump, has only grown more pronounced under Biden, who has taken pains to shore up US alliances. With the US also threatening Beijing’s red line on Taiwan, retaliation is all but inevitable.

23 Mar 2023 - 4:03PM

Year in Review

This Year in Asia: sex is out, weed is in, China’s set to reopen, BTS enlists

Southeast Asia was in the spotlight with Anwar Ibrahim finally becoming Malaysia’s prime minister, while Singapore repealed its anti-gay law Section 377A.

31 Dec 2022 - 7:48PM

Australia

Opinion | Rudd, Australia’s new envoy to US, could find diplomatic life constricting

In his new role as envoy to the US, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd will have to refit his controlling leadership style to suit working for political masters who once served as his ministers.

23 Dec 2022 - 1:25AM

Australia

Rudd’s China nous will inject nuance into US-Australia ties, Aukus pact

Former Australian PM Kevin Rudd could help US, Australia, China adopt ‘more realistic and pragmatic approach’ towards managing their ties, experts say.

21 Dec 2022 - 6:25PM

Australia

Australia names ‘eminent’ China expert Kevin Rudd as new US ambassador

Rudd, who speaks fluent Mandarin, completed a doctorate on the world view of China’s President Xi Jinping this year. His appointment comes as Canberra and Washington are deepening security cooperation in response to a rising China.

20 Dec 2022 - 3:03PM

Jiang Zemin

China’s economic rise under Jiang Zemin offered lessons that resonate today

When China was at a critical crossroads in 1989, Jiang helped lay the groundwork for an economic transformation, and it largely hinged on improving relations with Western countries.

6 Dec 2022 - 10:08AM

Former US president Bill Clinton meets with his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, during a visit to China in 1998. Photo: Reuters

Australia

China will be ‘on its way’ out of zero-Covid by mid-2023, predicts Kevin Rudd

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said there are indications China will emulate a ‘Hong Kong model’ in its zero-Covid policy, with an easing of restrictions by the middle of 2023.

17 Nov 2022 - 5:25PM

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaks during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, on Thursday. Photo: Bloomberg

Pacific nations

Pacific nations don’t need West’s ‘lectures’ about China ties, Kevin Rudd says

Rudd’s comments come as Western nations criticise the Solomon Islands-China security deal that they believe will lead to Beijing bolstering its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

27 May 2022 - 3:07PM

China's economic recovery

What does an ex-Australian PM think is China’s ‘elephant in the room’?

Former Australian prime minister says China is dealing with ‘self-inflicted’ problems, including ‘poor policy choices’, and that economic growth is the Communist Party’s top challenge this year.

18 May 2022 - 2:32PM

Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo

Video | Kevin Rudd on risk of U.S.-China war

11 Nov 2021 - 4:17PM

Talking Post: Kevin Rudd unpacks the risk of war between China and the US with Yonden Lhatoo

23:20

China-Australia relations

Xi’s foreign policy behind worsening China-Australia ties: Turnbull, Rudd

The former Australian prime ministers also blamed hawkish government ministers and conservative media for inflaming tensions with Beijing.

11 Aug 2021 - 9:22AM

161

Australia

Opinion | Indian-Australians have long been subjected to racism

The travel ban on India has stranded at least 9,000 Australians, but why? Such drastic steps weren’t taken when the US, Britain and Europe were going through similarly deadly and infectious outbreaks, says Sukhmani Khorana.

4 May 2021 - 6:00PM

China-Australia relations

Ripping up Chinese firm’s 99-year Darwin Port lease could cost Australia

A revocation of the deal on national security grounds could have serious financial and commercial ramifications, but experts say there is no ‘immediate imperative’ to terminate the lease.

6 May 2021 - 9:31AM

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Kevin Rudd

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Canada is flying the flag for middle powers standing up to US bullying

As the US shifts away from its commitment to global primacy, these Anglosphere nations have the potential to be a pivotal force for global stability.

US-China strategic competition to keep escalating as world watches on, Rudd says

Asia Society announces new permanent home in historic Washington building

In US-China rivalry, middle powers urged to be ‘indispensable’ chokepoints

By embedding deeply into supply chains, smaller countries that fear being squeezed out of global decision-making can offer a ‘best’ dish.

US-China trade truce remains ‘fragile’ after Xi-Trump summit, analysts say

Asia Society experts say modest economic gains leave deeper disputes unresolved, as Washington tests Beijing with a short extension.

US, China need nuclear-style AI safeguards, congressman says before Xi summit

Top Democrat on the House China committee calls for international inspections of leading AI laboratories and a ban on self-improving systems.

‘Normal stability’: US-China Track 1.5 talks offer formula for ties

Senior party official Liu Haixing uses unofficial discussions to make the case for disagreements to remain ‘controllable’.

Not ‘Trump-compatible’? China expert Rudd exits Australia’s US ambassador role

Kevin ‌Rudd left his post a year ‍earlier than planned following criticism from US President Donald Trump at White House meeting in October.

Australian ambassador hated by Trump to leave US post early

Kevin ‌Rudd, who criticised Trump before he became envoy, will head the Asia Society think tank after finishing his posting in March.

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

In an echo of the Cold War, mistranslations are testing already strained nerves in Washington and Beijing.

Doing ‘fantastic job’: Australian PM defends envoy Rudd amid Trump’s dislike

The prime minister described comments by the US president that he does not like the diplomat as ‘lighthearted’.

Trump’s return sparks fears over Aukus submarine deal and Indo-Pacific stability

While some analysts believe the alliance remains strong, others fear Trump’s transactional approach could lead to instability.

US official defends mix of diplomacy and competition with China in Indo-Pacific

Daniel Kritenbrink of State Department says dealing with Beijing in the region requires ‘intense’ statecraft and communications.

‘Differing US and Chinese objectives will limit Xi-Biden meeting outcomes’

Singapore arrived at its positions on China-US relations ‘not because we want to please one side or the other, but because of our own particular circumstances’, says envoy to US Lui Tuck Yew.

Australia panned ‘ridiculous’ Aukus delays. Now Britain is asking questions too

The head of Britain ’s Royal Navy has joined Australia in questioning US bureaucratic hurdles facing the three-country Aukus project to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Opinion | Biden is pushing China towards a conflict it doesn’t want

Washington’s policy shift on China, instigated by Trump, has only grown more pronounced under Biden, who has taken pains to shore up US alliances. With the US also threatening Beijing’s red line on Taiwan, retaliation is all but inevitable.

This Year in Asia: sex is out, weed is in, China’s set to reopen, BTS enlists

Southeast Asia was in the spotlight with Anwar Ibrahim finally becoming Malaysia’s prime minister, while Singapore repealed its anti-gay law Section 377A.

Opinion | Rudd, Australia’s new envoy to US, could find diplomatic life constricting

In his new role as envoy to the US, former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd will have to refit his controlling leadership style to suit working for political masters who once served as his ministers.

Rudd’s China nous will inject nuance into US-Australia ties, Aukus pact

Former Australian PM Kevin Rudd could help US, Australia, China adopt ‘more realistic and pragmatic approach’ towards managing their ties, experts say.

Australia names ‘eminent’ China expert Kevin Rudd as new US ambassador

Rudd, who speaks fluent Mandarin, completed a doctorate on the world view of China’s President Xi Jinping this year. His appointment comes as Canberra and Washington are deepening security cooperation in response to a rising China.

China’s economic rise under Jiang Zemin offered lessons that resonate today

When China was at a critical crossroads in 1989, Jiang helped lay the groundwork for an economic transformation, and it largely hinged on improving relations with Western countries.

China will be ‘on its way’ out of zero-Covid by mid-2023, predicts Kevin Rudd

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said there are indications China will emulate a ‘Hong Kong model’ in its zero-Covid policy, with an easing of restrictions by the middle of 2023.

Pacific nations don’t need West’s ‘lectures’ about China ties, Kevin Rudd says

Rudd’s comments come as Western nations criticise the Solomon Islands-China security deal that they believe will lead to Beijing bolstering its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

What does an ex-Australian PM think is China’s ‘elephant in the room’?

Former Australian prime minister says China is dealing with ‘self-inflicted’ problems, including ‘poor policy choices’, and that economic growth is the Communist Party’s top challenge this year.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Kevin Rudd on risk of U.S.-China war

Xi’s foreign policy behind worsening China-Australia ties: Turnbull, Rudd

The former Australian prime ministers also blamed hawkish government ministers and conservative media for inflaming tensions with Beijing.

Opinion | Indian-Australians have long been subjected to racism

The travel ban on India has stranded at least 9,000 Australians, but why? Such drastic steps weren’t taken when the US, Britain and Europe were going through similarly deadly and infectious outbreaks, says Sukhmani Khorana.

Ripping up Chinese firm’s 99-year Darwin Port lease could cost Australia

A revocation of the deal on national security grounds could have serious financial and commercial ramifications, but experts say there is no ‘immediate imperative’ to terminate the lease.

Opinion | Canada is flying the flag for middle powers standing up to US bullying

Video | Kevin Rudd on risk of U.S.-China war