“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X.
“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.”
Albanese was set to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G7 this week, but the timing of Trump’s departure now means it will not go ahead as planned.
9news.com.au has contacted the prime minister’s office for comment.
Trump was not the only foreign leader Albanese was scheduled to meet during the summit, but he certainly drew the most attention.
Albanese was expected to discuss two major issues with the US commander-in-chief, including the Pentagon’s current review of the AUKUS security pact, and ongoing tariffs on Australian aluminium and steel.
From Trump’s side, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently called on Australia to lift its defence spending, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio rebuked Australia and other nations on imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers.
Trump has also fulminated about the lack of US beef entering the Australian market.
“The discussion with President Trump I expect will be very much about Australia and the United States, and our relations,” Albanese said yesterday.
“That will be very much the focus. We’ve got a few things to talk about.”
At a press conference today following UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s endorsement of the AUKUS agreement, Albanese said he was “confident” it would proceed.
Albanese has already met with G7 host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
Other meetings are scheduled for coming days.
