Prime Minister Anthony has had his fourth phone call with Donald Trump, as hopes for an in-person meeting build. Photo: Region
Anthony Albanese has had his fourth phone call with Donald Trump, ahead of what the Prime Minister hopes will be a face-to-face meeting with the US President later this month.
Mr Albanese posted on social media on Thursday night (4 September) that the conversation between himself and Mr Trump was a warm one, discussing issues such as trade and security.
“Tonight I had another warm and constructive conversation with President @realDonald Trump,” the PM said on X.
“We discussed our trade and economic relationship as well as areas for growth, including critical minerals.
“We also discussed shared US-Australia security interests.”
The Federal Government hopes to secure a face-to-face meeting between the pair after Mr Albanese arrives in New York for the United Nations General Assembly from 23 September.
That’s also when and where Mr Albanese intends to recognise Palestine, which could pose a problem for securing an actual meeting with the US President.
Australia’s ambassador to Washington, Kevin Rudd, however, welcomed the phone call with his own social media post.
“Great to have the President and the Prime Minister in another call this morning – their fourth since the President was elected,” Mr Rudd said on X.
“Lots going on in the US-Australia relationship. And going from strength to strength.”
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie even welcomed news of the call, adding that it probably took place because Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ visited Washington last week.
“I think that is a good thing,” she told Sky News.
“We’ve been encouraging this relationship as an Opposition because we believe it’s in the best interests of our country and our region that our two countries are united and on the same page.
“If he wants to characterise it as warm, well done. But that does sort of, I think, suggest a closeness and an intimacy that hasn’t been there previously.”
Liberal backbencher Jane Hume made a point of noting how long it is taking for the PM to get an actual meeting with the President.
“It’s been 300 days since President Trump was elected, and still no meeting between our leaders, and that’s a concern,” Senator Hume said on Channel Seven.
“Anthony Albanese needs to step up and represent Team Australia with President Trump and, particularly, to secure our AUKUS agreements.”
In the same panel interview, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth praised the latest phone call as a sign of a good relationship.
“No doubt this builds on what is already a warm relationship between the two of them … We’ve had very strong engagement, of course, across our government,” she said.
“Four phone calls. You know, sometimes I don’t get to see my friends, but I’m on the phone.
“And so I think, obviously, as the Prime Minister has indicated, they will meet when it’s convenient for both parties.”
The Prime Minister also joined a virtual meeting of some world leaders in the ‘coalition of the willing’ for Ukraine, to discuss their continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
“Australia stands with Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion,” a government readout from the meeting said.
“With our partners, we will keep working towards just and lasting peace for Ukraine on its own terms.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
