'An honour': Rudd quits US ambassadorship early

The former Labor prime minister was appointed to the diplomatic role in 2023 but faced a tumultuous period under the Trump administration, as his previous criticisms of the US president sparked concern among sections of the Republican party.

Dr Rudd said he would stay in the US as global president and chief executive of the Asia Society, a world-leading foreign policy think tank.

He will also head the society's Centre for China Analysis.

"I will be remaining in America working between New York and Washington on the future of US-China relations, which I have always believed to be the core question for the future stability of our region and the world," Dr Rudd said on X.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Dr Rudd would wrap up in the role at the end of March, three years into a four-year term, and praised the outgoing ambassador for his tireless work ethic.

"Kevin Rudd developed relationships across the board, across congress, across the senate, across Democrat and Republican members and of course, as well across civil society and across officials," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday morning.

"As prime minister, I have visited the United States on no less than seven occasions, that is because of the productive work that Kevin Rudd has done across the board."

Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised Dr Rudd's helping Australia secure a critical minerals deal with the US, and advancing the AUKUS security pact through which Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US.

"Kevin has been an excellent ambassador, we thank him for his tireless contribution to Australia's national interests over the last three years," she said alongside the prime minister.

"He has done what our best ambassadors, developing deep, enduring relationships across the political divide, across successive administrations, and always with a view to advancing Australia's interests."

Mr Albanese denied there was a fractured relationship between the ambassador and the Trump administration, despite a terse exchange between Mr Trump and Dr Rudd during a bilateral meeting with the prime minister when his past criticisms were brought up with the president.

At that meeting, Mr Trump told the ambassador "I don't like you ... and I probably never will".

Dr Rudd later apologised and was told all was forgiven, according to a person in the room.

A new ambassador will be announced at a later date.

Australian Associated Press