The Fin Rethinking Trump: Should Australia follow Canada's lead?
21 snips
Jan 28, 2026 Jessica Gardner, US correspondent for the Australian Financial Review based in Washington DC, discusses Trump’s chaotic return and rapid policy moves. She highlights high-profile White House incidents, the influencers shaping Trump’s agenda, and Mark Carney’s warning on the rules-based order. She also considers whether Australia should publicly challenge Trump and the case for a technocratic ambassador.
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Middle Powers Must Build New Networks
- Mark Carney urged middle powers to stop accommodating and form networks to resist economic coercion.
- Jessica Gardner says speaking out can be brave but has political consequences for leaders like Anthony Albanese.
A 'Fire Hose' News Cycle
- Jessica Gardner describes Washington as a 'fire hose' of news during Trump's term with nonstop surprises.
- She recounts returning from holiday to the sudden raid on Caracas and capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Flooding The Zone Shapes Coverage
- Trump floods the zone with posts on Truth Social and frequent press access to dominate attention.
- Gardner notes this makes him highly accessible to media and shapes coverage dynamics.