Albanese government hits back after Donald Trump calls out Australia: ‘We don’t need you’

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pushed back at Donald Trump‘s tirade on social media in which he turned on allies including Australia after he claimed they rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘We no longer “need,” or desire, the NATO countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID. Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea,’ the US President wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.

‘In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE.’

Trump said he had been told America’s allies ‘don’t want to get involved’ in the Iran war, despite his appeals for help securing the Strait as oil prices spiral.

But Chalmers rebuffed the US President’s remarks, adding that there had been no official call to send navy assets to the conflict-ravaged region.

‘There wasn’t a formal request to send ships to the strait,’ he told ABC News on Wednesday. 

‘And it’s not something that we’ve been considering in the almost daily National Security Committee meetings that have been taking place over the course of the last couple of weeks.

‘Our commitment is about keeping more than 100,000 Australians safe in the region, including I think about 25,000 Australians in the UAE (United Arab Emirates).’ 

Donald Trump slammed Australia in an online rant after America’s allies rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz (pictured in the Oval Office on Monday)

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq

But Treasurer Jim Chalmers said there hadn’t been a formal request to send ships to the strait

The Treasurer’s comments echoed those of Federal Transport Minister Catherine King, who confirmed on Monday that Australia had not received a request from the US to send a warship to the Strait, and would not send one even if asked.

Shadow Industry Minister Andrew Hastie called Trump ‘petulant’ and referenced former professional boxer Mike Tyson.

‘I thought it was a petulant post from a president under immense pressure,’ he told the ABC.

‘Yesterday he said from the Oval Office I think it was that he didn’t expect the Strait of Hormuz to be closed this long.

‘As I like to quote Mike Tyson, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face and the enemy always has a vote.’

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who has previously criticised Trump, has also said the US President’s spray shows what he truly thinks of Australia.

‘This is a guy who does not respect smaller countries,’ Turnbull said. 

‘He believes might is right, he makes no bones about that. And he believes that he should be able to do and get whatever he wants.’

Join the discussion

Do YOU think this dispute could damage Australia–US relations?

What’s your view?

Former PM Malcolm Turnbull warned that sending naval assets from other nations into the conflict-ridden Strait of Hormuz could risk escalation (A photo released by the Royal Thai Navy shows smoke rising a bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz)

Petrol shortages could loom for Australians if the conflict drags on

He also warned that sending naval assets from other nations into the Strait of Hormuz could risk escalation and play into Iran’s hands.

So far, there has been a staunch refusal from the federal government to send forces into the strait, which is the gateway for about 20 per cent of global gas and oil shipping.

The route has been effectively closed since conflict erupted in the region, leaving tankers idle for more than a week and forcing producers to halt pumping while storage facilities were emptied.

However, Anthony Albanese confirmed last week that Australia would provide military assistance to the Persian Gulf. 

He said the Defence Force would deploy an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, 85 personnel and air-to-air missiles to the United Arab Emirates.

The Coalition is understood to have offered the Albanese government room to decline any US request with bipartisan backing.

‘If a formal request is made by the United States, it would need to be assessed against our national interests, including their ability to safely operate in a highly contested strategic environment,’ opposition defence spokesman James Paterson said. 

‘Australia’s primary focus remains the Indo-Pacific.’ 

Meanwhile, petrol shortages could loom for Australians if the conflict drags on and global energy supplies remain disrupted.

Fuel prices have surged nationwide as the conflict disrupts global supply, pushing unleaded petrol above $2.20 a litre and diesel past $2.60.

Read More

  • Related Posts

    Government rules out extending pub hours for England v Mexico game

    Pubs in England and Wales will now be allowed to stay open until 05:00 on Monday, allowing football fans to watch the Three Lions’ World Cup clash with Mexico to…

    Venezuelans angry with government as time runs out to rescue survivors

    NewsFeed Four days after twin quakes left 1,450 dead and nearly 69,000 missing in Venezuela, residents and volunteers say they feel abandoned by the government as they race to save…

    You Missed

    Melbourne project manager cleared of alleged cocaine and fentanyl smuggling plot: How drug tests turned case upside down after he lost his job

    • By admin
    • July 28, 2026
    • 1 views
    Melbourne project manager cleared of alleged cocaine and fentanyl smuggling plot: How drug tests turned case upside down after he lost his job

    Hero ironman reveals how he leapt into action to save a woman from monster great white at Coogee Beach: ‘Biggest shark I’ve ever seen’

    • By admin
    • July 28, 2026
    • 1 views
    Hero ironman reveals how he leapt into action to save a woman from monster great white at Coogee Beach: ‘Biggest shark I’ve ever seen’

    Five air force crew die as military plane crashes while trying to land at air base in India

    • By admin
    • July 28, 2026
    • 1 views
    Five air force crew die as military plane crashes while trying to land at air base in India

    The great Cotswolds farce: Plan to build 20 affordable homes for residents priced out by millionaires is held up by planning rows for 11 years… with not a SINGLE brick laid

    • By admin
    • July 28, 2026
    • 1 views
    The great Cotswolds farce: Plan to build 20 affordable homes for residents priced out by millionaires is held up by planning rows for 11 years… with not a SINGLE brick laid

    Defence Secretary John Healey pushed for UK to join international investment bank to get much-needed military funds but was blocked by Rachel Reeves

    • By admin
    • July 28, 2026
    • 1 views
    Defence Secretary John Healey pushed for UK to join international investment bank to get much-needed military funds but was blocked by Rachel Reeves

    Restore activists at ‘white supremacy summit’ with neo-Nazis: Evidence emerges on eve of vital by-election that vote for Rupert Lowe’s divisive party is a grave mistake

    • By poster
    • July 27, 2026
    • 2 views
    Restore activists at ‘white supremacy summit’ with neo-Nazis: Evidence emerges on eve of vital by-election that vote for Rupert Lowe’s divisive party is a grave mistake