How Trump's Policies Are Shaping Elections in Australia, Canada, and Singapore

Trump's Influence on Global Elections

Initially, Canada experienced a shift, and now Australia and Singapore are witnessing similar trends where parties perceived as alternatives to Donald Trump are gaining traction. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, aged 62, has successfully secured a second term, defeating the Opposition led by Peter Dutton, who struggled to separate himself from Trump-like comparisons and ultimately lost his own seat. Albanese's Centre-Left Labor Party achieved a surprising victory on May 3, overcoming the so-called 'incumbency curse' amid a campaign focused on the cost of living crisis and the economic uncertainties linked to Trump's tariff strategies. This win marks the first time since 2004 that an Australian prime minister has served consecutive terms.

In a parallel to Canada, the Coalition, Australia's conservative Opposition party, seemed poised for success prior to Trump's return to office, driven by public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and housing prices. However, voter support has waned as concerns about the government's stance on Trump have surfaced. Dutton's campaign has been labeled one of the weakest in Australian political history, as he struggled to distance himself from Trump’s rhetoric and policies.

A few months ago in Canada, Pierre Poilievre appeared to be on track to become the next prime minister, with his Conservative Party enjoying a significant lead in the polls over the ruling Liberals. Poilievre capitalized on the public's frustrations with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decade-long tenure. However, Trump's shadow loomed large, with his aggressive trade policies reshaping the political landscape. The Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, leveraged the nationalism stirred by Trump's comments, while Poilievre's populist image suffered due to its association with Trump.

In Australia, a poll conducted by ABC revealed that over 70% of Australians believed Trump's actions would adversely affect their financial situation. Furthermore, a majority no longer viewed the US as a reliable security partner. Three months into Trump's second term, 66% of Australians felt their nation could no longer depend on the US and needed to bolster its military capabilities, a significant increase from below 40% the previous June. This shift in public sentiment played a crucial role in the recent elections.

Similar to the Canadian government, the Australian administration linked its political opponents to Trump’s administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by billionaire Elon Musk. During the five-week election campaign, Australia faced 10% tariffs on exports to the US, despite a long-standing trade deficit with its free trade partner. Dutton was mockingly dubbed 'DOGE-y Dutton,' while Labor warned that a Dutton-led government would slash public services to fund seven nuclear power plants.

In Singapore, a Trump-like backlash was evident in the May 3 elections, where voters overwhelmingly supported the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Prime Minister Lawrence Wong successfully defeated the Opposition Workers Party, which had been expected to gain more votes and seats than in the previous election. Despite facing scrutiny over the cost of living crisis and low growth, the PAP managed to convince voters that they were best equipped to handle the uncertainties stemming from Trump's policies. Given Singapore's economic vulnerability and exposure to global forces, the PAP has committed to enhancing social welfare systems to alleviate the hardships faced by citizens struggling with a lack of affordable housing.

The electoral outcomes in these three nations suggest that Trump's policies are inadvertently uniting voters behind parties and leaders that oppose his trade war and other initiatives, even if they might have preferred different options.