A former prime minister has mocked Donald Trump by impersonating him on live TV, urging leaders to take inspiration from the US president and put Australia first.
With America's leader preparing to announce further tariffs in coming days, former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for Australia's next leader to act.
"Get off your knees and stand up for Australia," he told the National Press Club on Tuesday.
"Trying to get into a race of who can do the most sucking up, particularly with Mr Trump ... is not the way to advance your interests or your nation's interests.
"Our leaders need to be a little bit like Donald Trump: they have to put Australia first."
As prime minister, Mr Turnbull successfully negotiated a tariff exemption during the president's first term.
But in early March, he copped a social media spray from Mr Trump who called him "weak and ineffectual" after the former prime minister branded Mr Trump as rude, erratic and playing into China's hands.
In reference to the situation, Mr Turnbull bared his bottom teeth and did an impression of the US president during his press club address, placing emphasis on the distinctive way Mr Trump pronounces "China", to the delight of the audience.
The US is set to reveal another tranche of tariffs that Mr Trump warned would affect "all countries" as the federal election race heats up in Australia.
The situation has led voters to question whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is better-placed to deal with the US president.
Australia remains in discussions with the US but options that would weaken the nation's biosecurity, pharmaceutical subsidies scheme or news bargaining code were "not up for negotiation", Mr Albanese said, in reference to a recent report from Mr Trump's office on Australia-US trade barriers.
"I want to see a constructive outcome but what I won't do is undermine our national interest," he told reporters in Adelaide.
Meanwhile, Mr Dutton consistently claims he is better equipped to stand up to the president.
"I have the strength of leadership and the experience to be able to stand up to the president of the United States," he told reporters in Melbourne.
Mr Turnbull would not pick a favourite, but said the coalition leader faced a "two-edged sword".
Mr Dutton is more politically aligned with the Mr Trump than Mr Albanese, meaning he could have more access.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart, for example, is one of the coalition's biggest donors and also maintains close connections to the US president, even attending his election night party in November.
However, this could make it harder for Mr Dutton to go against the president without upsetting supporters.
"The difficulty of taking on Trump is you're taking on the most popular person in the ecosystem in which you live," Mr Turnbull said.
