Trump has won: Here's what that means for Australia

Australias defence relationships, including its military alliance with the United States, would be at risk, Brooking's Institute security analyst Thomas Wright said. Australias strategic environment will be transformed overnight. There will be real doubts about the alliance with the US, the alliance system in the Asia-Pacific more generally, and whether the United States will remain present in the region, he said. In the South China Sea, where the US has been pushing back against expansionist Chinese territorial claims, Australia could be left high and dry, Mr Wright said. "Trump will probably leave the South China Sea to China, vacating it as a US strategic interest and leaving its partners stranded," he said. That risk was recognised explicitly by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in statements shortly after Trumps win became clear. Australia welcomes Chinas peaceful rise. We also acknowledge that the United States has been the guarantor of peace and security and stability in our region, the Foreign Minister said. We would certainly appeal to any incoming administration for the United States to maintain that role, she said. That could be a major challenge for Australia, Wright said. The US will potentially become a rogue actor under Trump, he said. Donald Trump holds a sign supporting his plan to build a wall between the United States and Mexico that he borrowed from a member of the audience. Donald Trump holds a sign supporting his plan to build a wall between the United States and Mexico that he borrowed from a member of the audience. Lowy Institute executive director, Michael Fullilove, echoed Mr Wright's concerns. Whereas previous American leaders saw the advantages of global leadership, Trump is oblivious to them, Dr Fullilove told SBS. Trump is violently allergic to Americas alliances. He derides an alliance network that helps Washington to project its influence and, in Asia, to keep a lid on interstate friction. He said Australia would also see reduced access and influence in a Trump White House. Australias relationship with the White House and access to the presidents administration will be much worse under Trump, Mr Wright said. Foreign Minister Bishop said that building a relationship will be a priority for Australian diplomats. We will continue to work with the Obama administration during the transition period but remain closely engaged, as much as we can, with their transition teams, to look at issues of foreign and domestic policy that would affect Australia, she said.

Economic grwoth In Australia Source: GettyImages/kagenmi