PM dials in on elusive Trump meeting after latest call
Zac de Silva |
A fourth phone call between the prime minister and the US president could bring Anthony Albanese a step closer to meeting Donald Trump in person, analysts say.
Almost a year into Mr Trump’s second term in office, Mr Albanese has struggled to organise face-to-face talks with the Republican leader, after a planned meeting in Canada in June was cancelled at the last minute because of escalating Middle East tensions.
United States Studies Centre director of research Jared Mondschein says it appears the two will sit down on the sidelines of the United Nations “leaders’ week,” which starts on September 22.
“Especially with this administration, the personal really goes a long way … so I think it is something that the prime minister does want to focus on,” he told AAP.
A readout of the call released by Mr Albanese’s office said the two leaders discussed trade and critical minerals – a conversation Mr Mondschein said was “timely,” as China restricts exports of metals such as lithium and cobalt.
China dominates global production of critical minerals, which are used in products such as electric cars, solar panels and some defence technologies.
Australia, which has massive underground reserves, hopes to break China’s stranglehold.
“There are really no allies closer than the United States and Australia, and there are also no allies that have the same access to critical minerals … as the US and Australia,” Mr Mondschein said.
There was no mention of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal in the Australian readout, but the government insists the military agreement with the US and UK will go ahead, despite the White House’s decision to review it.
“It is on schedule, and we are really confident about its progress,” Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters in Tokyo after meetings with Japanese officials.
In a post on X, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd said the relationship between Australia and the US was going from “strength to strength.”
The opposition has long criticised Mr Albanese’s failure to secure a meeting with Mr Trump.
“It’s been more than 300 days since the US election, yet the prime minister has not secured a face-to-face meeting with the president, who has already met with over 30 other world leaders,” opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan said.
AAP
