And the best candidate to take on Trump is …

Trump’s administration would like nothing more than a disrespectful outburst from our prime minister or government (“Trump’s kryptonite for PM, Dutton”, March 15), calling Trump out for their destructive unfriendly behaviour towards our country. That would allow them to pretend to have justification for the next wave of punitive tariffs. Albanese’s approach appears the most likely to succeed: calm but at times outraged with our friend’s behaviour. Dutton’s posturing and turning on the government is disingenuous and self-defeating; his back-pedalling is indicative of the type of leader he is. He talks tough but is now squirming in the Trump-lite corner he has painted himself into. Geoff Nilon, Mascot

As Prime Minister Albanese keeps reminding us, tariffs are an own-goal when it comes to economic prosperity. As painful as it was, Australia rode out the Chinese tariff war, and we can do it again. It will be interesting to see how Americans, faced with higher prices, answer the question at the next election: do you feel better off now than you did four years ago? Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls

If Australia can produce aluminium and steel, ship it to the USA and undersell the local product, it suggests Australian industry is more efficient than US industry. Elon Musk should turn his attention from government efficiency to industry efficiency. Alan Templeman, Wyoming

You can’t copy Trump. It would be akin to a cricketer trying to copy Steve Smith, who is full of weird idiosyncratic behaviours while at the crease. It’s the same with Trump, but his weirdness is not the benignly humorous fiddling of Smith; it is the dangerous behaviour of a malignant narcissist. His quest for revenge, his bullying and his want to harm are not learnt behaviours, they are deeply embedded in his psyche and are, for Trump, irrepressible. Rather than ape Trump, our leaders would be best served by learning how to respond to a man chock-full of personality disorders. Trevor Somerville, Illawong

In the meeting in the White House with President Zelensky, Trump told the president of Ukraine he “had no cards”, suggesting that negotiation was futile. With Trump’s policies now threatening the world’s trade and economy, Australia has the opportunity to show Trump that it is he, Trump, who “has no cards” of any value, and that Australia has an unbeatable hand of powerful cards. To wit: Australia could cancel the AUKUS deal for the Virginia class boats (already halfway through their useful life) and order Vanguard boats from the UK. Australia could then say it would cut power to the Pine Gap and North West Cape facilities for half an hour, this time to be increased by a half-hour every day until Trump comes to his senses. We could then place an order with the French for the Dassault Rafale fighter. The Rafale is cheaper and a superior product, not plagued with the structural and software shortcomings inherent in the American product. Not bad aces to have up one’s sleeve.Stephen Healion, Wang Wauk

Australian political leaders do not need to lose their calm when Trump is doing all sorts of stupid things every day that won’t take long to bring about his undoing. Losing patience is to lose the battle. Trump’s over-the-top demands to all allies and friends will bite Americans more in the not-too-distant future. It can change the landscape drastically for the good of all humanity. Our local little Trump-alikes are just that: no morals, no patriotism, no love for Australia – pure self-interest. One would think, when we have a national crisis that we haven’t seen since WWII, we should be speaking with one voice rather than playing silly local politics. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Kryptonite, a fictional comic-book substance Peter Hartcher refers to in his warning piece to the PM and Dutton, is a weakening agent. Dealing with Trump, who doubtless sees himself as Superman, requires diplomacy because it is important our relationship with the USA remains strong after Trump goes. It does not mean we should show weakness by not standing up to him as Albanese has belatedly done. As for the equivocating Dutton and the likes of Hanson and Palmer, with his nonsensical Trumpet of Patriots – their sycophancy towards this treasonous economic vandal, this Putin-supporting, power-mongering politician whose actions are causing global havoc, is sickening. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne

Perhaps California would like to become a state of Australia? Edward Trueman, Manly

The Canadian comedian Matthew Puzhitsky suggests blocking American access to the website Pornhub. Pornhub is the most-visited site in the US, with about 3million views a month. What a great idea: that will trump Americans to their knees. Mokhles Sidden, South Strathfield

Whenever I see photos in the Herald of Trump, Musk and the cute mini-Musk, I wonder what values the little boy will grow up with, considering he seems to spend so much time with those two as role models. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush Creek

Trust issues

Jennifer Parker (“Trump’s rocked the boat, but we shouldn’t bail on AUKUS”, March 15) writes that there is no sign that the US is an unreliable ally of Australia. That the US, currently threatening to take the Panama Canal and Greenland by any means simply because they can, is a country Australia can trust. Canada, the US’ most important ally by a country mile, is currently under economic attack from the US, with Trump looking to annex it for its natural resources – a sure sign of a trusted ally. And the Trump administration and the president himself have repeatedly assured us our alliance is important. Trump is a man of his word to Parker. Better still, we can trust the US because we share the same strategic interests, unlike the US and Europe. Paul Davies, Crows Nest

The US has already arrested a Palestinian rights advocate (Mahmoud Khalil) who is a lawful permanent resident and is now trying to deport him for being involved in university campus protests against the war in Gaza. Now they are expelling the South African ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, for allegedly making anti-American and anti-Trump statements during a conference. Should anyone who might want to travel to the US begin to worry they will, in the near future, be refused entry if it’s been found they have made any anti-Trump comments on their social media platforms or in letters to the editor? Con Vaitsas, Ashbury

Support act

American-born Australian Richard Keyes (Letters, March 15) should not fear the anger of fellow Australians because of the disruption and ratbaggery of Trump and his mates. At this time, he and other American Australians need the support of the rest of the community. A friend of mine, born in the US but now an Australian citizen, sums it up when she says she is feeling the loss of the America where she grew up. Whereas the rest of us are disturbed by what is happening and fearful of what lies ahead, she is actually grieving. At this time, rather than blaming or criticising our Yank-Aussies, it is more appropriate to ask them, “Are you OK?” Mark Griffiths, Haberfield

Can I suggest to Richard Keyes not to take up wearing an Aussie flag pin on your hat lest you be spurned for being a far-right nationalist? You’ll blend in OK by being an understated all-around bloke. We real Aussies don’t go in for that nationalistic bravado. Gail Grogan, Toongabbie

Off and racing to what finish line?

What about redeveloping Canterbury Park Racecourse (Letters, March 15)? It has a couple of meetings a month, mostly midweek, and they’re pretty light-on for starters, likewise attendance. It’s about 10km from the CBD, close to Canterbury station on the new whizz-bang Metro line and growth corridor, and the land is probably as valuable as Rosehill. Craig Forbes, Lewisham

Thank you to the Herald letter writers who have brought some much-needed common sense to the issue of selling off Rosehill Gardens racecourse. The push to make Randwick Sydney’s premier racecourse started when the Australian Jockey Club and Sydney Turf Club merged to form the Australian Turf Club, ignoring patrons from the western suburbs. Rosehill is already a world-class, historic venue, but has been largely neglected and ignored, just like Warwick Farm and Canterbury over the years. I have already voted a resounding “No” to both ATC resolutions and look forward to enjoying quality racing in the western suburbs of Sydney for many more years. George Zivkovic, Northmead

Housing’s quick fix

I never thought the words would ever come out of my mouth, let alone be typed in a letter of support: I agree with Clover Moore (“Clover unleashes on Minns’ fast-tracked housing authority”, March 15). This madness of racing to build, in order to “solve” the housing crisis, is nothing short of a Band-Aid solution. Sydney is already overrun with poorly built housing that unsuspecting buyers get lumped with. Does the government not consider the loss of value in homes, the significant financial losses through works they have to pay for because the builder has gone under, and the stress? Are their memories that short regarding dodgy builds like Mascot and Opal Towers (plenty more out there like those)? And are we building more soulless strips of accommodation (not homes) like those along Anzac Parade, Kingsford right through to Kensington? Nothing but a tunnel of meh. Communities and the soul of urban areas need to be planned carefully and take time. So, 10 years from now, people such as Clover and I will be saying, “I told you so”. Lisa Del Vecchio, South Coogee

Don’t give up

Your correspondent can speak only of disengagement (Letters, March 15). Some of us take it seriously because our vote is the single most powerful tool to create democracy. It is not boring to challenge disinformation – I can recommend it as the best indoor activity. Politics is a philosophy, an intellectual choice that can affect the planet’s survival and economic wellbeing. Embrace it for all of us. Anne Eagar, Epping

Moment in the sun

Excellent that Independent MP Sophie Scamps has released a plan to “slash the price of household batteries” (“Battle looms over next step towards cheaper power bills”, March 15). Tired of reliance on an expensive grid, 4 million Aussie households have invested in rooftop solar. And, with 30 per cent more household battery systems installed since 2023, batteries are primed for their moment in the sun. I’m fortunate to have a solar and battery system: not only are my electricity bills negligible, but I can keep the lights on even if the grid goes down. That energy security is priceless. Policies that make home batteries affordable should be introduced by all political parties. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

With temperatures rising and weather patterns changing due to climate change, one way or another we will have to pay the full price for the power we use. Turning off and cutting back when we’re able to are practical personal and corporate steps we can all take towards responsible energy use. The right thing to do is make sure people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged are not left to swelter in the heat or suffer in the cold, and that there are reliable essential services available to all, including efficient electric upgrades and solar savings. A highly developed nation like ours leaves no one behind as the world adjusts to the challenges of growing energy needs, and manages the transition to clean, renewable energy. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills

Further subsidising of home batteries to store solar electricity will strike a huge blow against fairness – making second-class citizens of apartment dwellers. What sort of society would it be when one class of home owners, mostly Boomers or Millennials, end up paying less than $100 per year for electricity while apartment owners and most renters pay $1500 or more? Toby Prentice, Concord West

Pool resources

Who would have guessed that swimming in a chlorinated pool would reduce the incidence of middle ear infections (“The remote towns where local pools have changed lives”, March 15)? Those infections are a blight on some Aboriginal communities, causing hearing loss and consequent problems with language development, attention and learning at school. It is to be hoped governments are acting on this important information and installing more pools in remote communities. The cost would be small compared with the benefits, both short-term and long-term. Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton

Amusement park?

I know how your correspondent feels with his embarrassment of split pants (Letters, March 15) at Luna Park. Almost 50 years ago I, too, experienced the dizzying heights and gravity-defying power of the Rotor for the first time and, naturally, my frantic screams for it to be turned off midway were ignored or went unheard. With feet back on the ground, I promptly vomited in the waiting queue for the Ghost Train, much to my embarrassment and others’ disgust. I confined myself to Coney Island after that. Viv Munter, Tumbi Umbi

A fond memory about Luna Park, as a child in the early 1960s, was that the first 500 children who entered on Saturday afternoon were given 10 free coupons they could use to go on rides like the Mighty Mouse. My friends and I used to catch the bus from Bondi every week, went for a swim at North Sydney pool and then on to Luna Park. In those days we didn’t have parents accompanying us and no sense of danger. Glenn Larner, Freshwater

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