He also said he was unfazed by the possible return of Donald Trump to power, after repeatedly criticising the former president in the past. Mr Trump is seeking the Republican nomination to run for the White House in 2024.
“In the tradition of all previous Australian ambassadors, we work with all sides,” Mr Rudd said.
“I have bucket loads of Republican friends and bucket loads of Democratic friends, working in foreign policy, national security policy, and the economy. So, I’m pretty confident now those relationships have not only continued but have been sustained and strengthened.”
Tensions between the US and China have escalated recently as Washington and its Western allies push back against China’s economic influence and growing military assertiveness in the region. Deteriorating relations have been exacerbated by incidents such as the downing of a Chinese spy balloon over mainland America.
“It’s very hard to do, and it’s compounded by the degree of difficulty which arises from China not picking up the phone, for example, for several days during the height of the balloons [incident],” Mr Rudd said.
Australia’s own relationship with China started to thaw early this year after Trade Minister Don Farrell secured meetings with Beijing.
Last week China confirmed that it was willing to work with the Albanese government to resolve tariff disputes over both wine and barley exports, paving the way for the removal of $20 billion worth of trade sanctions against Australia.
“Where the US-China relationship stands at the moment, it’s just, it’s really difficult. Let’s be honest about it,” Mr Rudd said.
“But the challenge and responsibility of friends and allies of the United States, and those who have long-standing partnerships with China, is to work with both governments to see what we can do to assist in the stabilisation of the US-China relationship as well.
“One of the reasons the prime minister and foreign minister asked me to come here was to deal with the challenge we all face – the challenge presented by China’s rise and maintaining strategic stability in partnership with our ally the United States, while at the same time stabilising our relationship with Beijing.”
China has raised concerns about AUKUS – the military intelligence-sharing arrangement under which the US will provide nuclear-powered submarines to the Australia navy to defend waters where China has become more aggressive.
Mr Rudd said implementing AUKUS would be one of his top priorities in Washington, continuing the work of his predecessor Arthur Sinodinos.
He declined to comment on Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corporation settling a defamation lawsuit this week with voting machine maker Dominion for $US787.5 million ($1.2 billion).
“When I took on this position as ambassador for Australia to the United States, I relinquished my position as chair of Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission,” he said.