Australia’s US Envoy to Step Down Early After Trump Friction

Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, will step down a year earlier than planned after his tenure was clouded by past criticism of Donald Trump that had drawn the ire of the US president.

A successor has not yet been named, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday, and will be announced in “due course.” Rudd will leave his post at the end of March and take up a role as global president of the Asia Society, working between New York and Washington.

Kevin Rudd

Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg

Rudd’s departure comes as Australia seeks to expand cooperation on critical minerals and trade ...