“Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” she said on X.

“I always prep seriously for meetings where I’m representing Australia,” Albanese said.

“Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform late on Monday.

Questions over US tariffs on steel remain after UK carve-out

Albanese faced inquiries about whether he could secure a similar exemption to that of the UK, which entails zero tariffs for its aerospace sector and a reduction in tariffs from 25 percent to 10 percent for its automotive industry.

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reached a deal on US tariffs on steel during a meeting at the G7 summit. Source: AP / Suzanne Plunkett

“The UK deal has other provisions with it as well, including provisions that are different in terms of Australia,” Albanese said.