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Better at managing Trump and Xi

New in 2025

In 2025, 45% said Anthony Albanese would be better than Peter Dutton at managing Australia’s relationship with China and its president Xi Jinping.

Question Better at managing Trump and Xi

Do you think Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton would be better as prime minister at managing Australia’s relationship with:

This question was asked in 2025.

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
  4. 75%
  5. 100%
China and its president Xi Jinping
45
25
[object Object]
30
The United States and its president Donald Trump
34
35
[object Object]
30
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Peter Dutton
  • No difference
  • Don’t know
Total
All groups

2025 observation

Foreign policy does not often figure heavily in Australian federal election campaigns. However, global disruptions in 2025 focused public attention on Australia’s relationships with its main security ally, the United States under President Donald Trump, and main trading partner, China under President Xi Jinping.

In March, Australians were almost evenly split on whether Peter Dutton (35%) or Anthony Albanese (34%) would be better as prime minister at managing Australia’s relationship with the United States and Donald Trump.

By contrast, Anthony Albanese (45%) enjoyed a 20-point lead over Peter Dutton (25%) in Australians’ confidence in him to manage the relationship with China and Xi Jinping.