Five Essential Takeaways from the Trump-Albanese Summit

Share this @internewscast.com

Key Points

Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese signed a significant rare earth minerals deal.
The pair’s meeting appeared to be very warm, referring to each other as “friends”.
There was an awkward moment with Australia’s US ambassador Kevin Rudd.

United States President Donald Trump has heaped praise on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during what appeared to be a very warm first visit to the White House, with successes notched on both sides.

The highly anticipated bilateral meeting took 10 months to secure, but Albanese has emerged with a new economic deal and strengthened ties to Australia’s closest ally.

The two leaders met in the White House in the early hours of Tuesday morning to discuss trade, AUKUS, critical minerals and a potential visit to Australia.

Surprisingly, it was a former prime minister who was involved in the meeting’s tensest moment.

In a recent development, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted a significant economic partnership between the United States and Australia. This collaboration is set to generate a substantial US$8.5 billion (equivalent to A$13 billion) pipeline of projects. A key aspect of this initiative involves American investments in Australia, specifically targeting the processing of critical minerals essential for manufacturing processes.

This agreement, initially announced in 2021 during President Biden’s administration, has been undergoing a thorough review by the United States. Despite this scrutiny, former President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in the progression of the plan. He noted that the project is “moving along rapidly” and that only a few “minor details” remain to be resolved, reassuring that Australia will indeed receive the submarines as part of the deal.

The meeting was relocated from the White House’s Oval Office to the cabinet room so that Trump and Albanese could sign a rare earths deal.

The US and Australia will invest US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) in the first six months alone, with the multi-billion dollar deal designed to combat China’s stronghold on the sector.

“In a year from now we’ll have so much [critical minerals] … you won’t know what to do with them,” Trump said.

During discussions, Trump also touched on trade relations, noting, “Australia pays very low tariffs, very, very low tariffs. In fact, Australia pays among the lowest tariffs,” underscoring the favorable trade terms between the two nations.

In a lighter moment, Trump initially turned to Albanese to inquire about specific details shared in their meeting, but then decided against it, saying, “Don’t tell me.” This exchange reflects the informal yet productive nature of their discussions.

Trump reaffirmed the stability of the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the US and the United Kingdom which would give Australia nuclear submarines.

The deal, announced in 2021 under the Biden administration, has been under review by the US.

US navy secretary John Phelan elaborated on the review by the US defence department, stating it was working to “make it better” and “clarify some of the ambiguity that was in the prior agreement”, which would be a “win-win for everyone”.

But Trump said the plan was “moving along rapidly” and there were only “minor details” to be worked out, assuring Australia was “getting” the submarines.

Trump doesn’t budge on Australian tariffs

Trump was asked whether he’d consider removing tariffs from his friend, Australia.

He defended the tariffs Australian exports are subject to — including a baseline 10 per cent rate and 50 per cent on steel and aluminium.

“Australia pays very low tariffs, very, very low tariffs. In fact, Australia pays among the lowest tariffs,” Trump said.

Tense moment with US ambassador Kevin Rudd

The main moment of tension came as a journalist asked Trump’s thoughts on disparaging comments made by Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd.

Rudd called Trump the “most destructive president in history” in a 2020 social media post, one of several tweets deleted after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.

Trump turned to ask Albanese what had been said, before changing his mind, saying: “Don’t tell me.”

Rudd was in the room at the time, and after trying to explain, was quickly cut off by Trump, who said: “I don’t like you either, I don’t, and probably never will.” Albanese laughed during the exchange.

After the meeting concluded, Rudd was overheard apologising to Trump off-camera, with the US president reportedly replying “all is forgiven”.

Trump praises PM as ‘my friend’

Trump gushed over his “friend” Albanese, during a very friendly first bilateral meeting between the pair, stating he was doing a “fantastic job” as prime minister.

“We’ve been long-term, longtime allies, and I would say there’s never been anybody better,” Trump said.

Asked to compare Albanese to previous prime ministers Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull, who were more politically aligned, Trump said it “wouldn’t be fair”.

“I don’t want to compare one with the other, but they really have a great prime minister,” Trump said.

Albanese joked he would use Trump’s remarks in campaign ads at the next federal election in 2028.

The feeling was mutual, with Albanese praising Trump’s work on a Middle East ceasefire as “an extraordinary achievement”.

The US president said he had been extended an invite to visit Australia, which he was “considering”.