'Usual rules don't apply': Penny Wong's playbook for handling Donald Trump

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has a different playbook for how she handles US President Donald Trump, saying that the "usual rules don't apply" with him.

She revealed she would enhance the national interest against Trump's policies and his perceived role in the world while speaking to Nine's Today.

"When President Trump was elected, I made the point to people that the usual rules don't apply. It's a different approach," she said.

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"We will take that step by step.

"This administration has a very different view about the role America plays in the world.

"It's very important for us to say clear and steady on what is our national interest, what is in Australia's national interest.

"We are a sovereign nation, and we make decisions about what advances our interests."

Wong confirmed the government is still engaging in trade talks over the aluminium and steel tariffs that were slapped on Australia, but acknowledged that the pause on US and China tariffs was a "good development".

"Tariffs don't benefit anybody. They are harmful to working people around the world because of their effect on the global economy," she said.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is heading to Indonesia today for his first visit since his re-election earlier this month.

He has not met with Trump since the US election in 2024, but said he received a congratulatory and "very warm" phone call from him after his election win.

Wong hinted that there may be a visit to the US agreed upon soon.

"I'm sure there will be other engagements that are settled in the weeks and months to come, including with the United States," she told Today.

"Obviously, the first trip being to Indonesia sends a signal... there's no country more important to us."

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