Australia’s message to Asian allies worried about Trump

Australia has reassured Southeast Asian nations it’s “a reliable partner that you can count on.” (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) Australia has reassured Southeast Asian nations it’s “a reliable partner that you can count on.” (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP Foreign Minister Penny Wong has denounced global trade barriers and reinforced Australia’s role as a key ally to southeast Asian nations as the US increases tariffs. While in Malaysia for an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting, Sentator Wong distanced Australia from the US on trade policy as the White House tests relationships in the region. Tariffs are at the heart of contention between…