Part 9/11:
Senator Hansen Young warned that Trump's erratic behavior and tendency to "make it up as he goes along" threaten established alliances. She warned that even if the Australian Prime Minister managed to secure face-to-face talks, the unpredictable US political environment could undermine the value of such meetings.
Hogan expressed optimism about the long-term resilience of the Australia-US alliance, asserting that Orcus would likely persist despite current turbulence. Nonetheless, both politicians agreed that the current approach risks Australia bearing disproportionate costs, especially as public health and the pharmaceutical sector—particularly the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme—are vital national interests that must be protected from adverse trade disruptions.