Trump calls Albanese ‘a good man’ after latest call
Tess Ikonomou |
US President Donald Trump has praised Anthony Albanese as a “good man” after the two leaders racked up their fourth one-on-one phone call.
The prime minister described his latest conversation with Mr Trump more than a week ago as “really warm”.
The US president was leaving the White House overnight on Friday, Australian time, when he made the comments about Mr Albanese.
“He’s a good man,” he told a Nine correspondent.
Mr Albanese is yet to have a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump after their previously planned sit-down, on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada in June, was cancelled due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
The federal government is yet to confirm any new face-to-face between the pair when the prime minister visits New York later in September for the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Mr Trump has publicly remained positive about Mr Albanese, although tensions remain over tariffs imposed on Australian exports and a multibillion-dollar submarine deal under the AUKUS security pact.
Under the tariffs regime, Australian goods sent to the US attract a baseline levy of 10 per cent while importers of Australian steel and aluminium pay 50 per cent.
Responding to the US president’s comments, Mr Albanese said he’s had “respectful relations” with Mr Trump.
“We have had four discussions that have been really warm, the last one was just over a week ago,” he told reporters in Cairns on Friday.
“I look forward to continuing to engage with the United States.
“We’ve engaged as well with his administration.
“The relationship with the United States is an important one for Australia.”
Australia will continue to make its case on the tariffs and advocate for the AUKUS pact, the prime minister said.
The White House has not yet provided an official readout on the call.
Australia has diverged from the US on the Middle East, following Labor’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN gathering.
The decision has drawn expressions of “disappointment and disgust” from those within the Trump administration.
Disagreements also remain over Australia’s defence spending after the government rebuffed US calls to pour in billions of extra dollars.
Defence Minister Richard Marles was told by his US counterpart Pete Hegseth to massively boost the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product.
Australia currently spends about two per cent of its GDP on defence, and is on track to increase that to 2.33 per cent by 2033/34.
The government also awaits the findings of a Pentagon review into the nuclear submarine deal, under which Australia has been promised Virginia-class boats.
Defence analysts doubt the Trump administration will tear up the $368 billion submarine program, but might demand a larger financial contribution from Australia for US shipbuilding.
AAP
