Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, securing an $8.5 billion critical minerals agreement and renewed commitment to the AUKUS submarine pact. The meeting was largely positive, aside from a brief clash involving Australia’s ambassador.

Washington

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held his first official meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, where both leaders emphasized the strength of the Australia-US alliance. The meeting resulted in the signing of an $8.5 billion US critical minerals agreement, aimed at boosting investment in projects vital for technology and defense industries.

President Trump also provided renewed assurances that Australia will receive American-built nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact, despite an ongoing Pentagon review. While the meeting was largely positive, it included a brief exchange regarding past comments by Australia's ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, which was resolved with an apology. No progress was made on reducing tariffs on Australian goods, but the leaders discussed the possibility of a future presidential visit to Australia.

Albanese secures $8.5B minerals deal with Trump

An anticipated arrival and a warm welcome. President Trump, sir, your message to the people of Australia. We love that. We're going to get a lot done. The Prime Minister's first official meeting with Donald Trump was off to a good start. Inside, the President showed off his new, mostly gold touches to the White House. Then the two leaders fronted the cameras and there was only praise and positivity. It's great to have the Prime Minister of Australia. Fantastic place. A lot of friends over there and this is one of them right here. Well, thank you so much, Mr President, for the invitation here to the White House. Their exchanges were easy and friendly. They really have a great Prime Minister. Thank you. I'll use it in my ads in 28. But there was a confrontation with Australia's ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, after his negative comments about the President in the past were brought up by the media. Did an ambassador say something bad about me? Don't tell me. I don't know. Where is he? Is he still working for you? Yeah, yeah. Do you say bad? Before I took this position, Mr President... I don't like you either. I don't. And I probably never will. From the personal to policy, and for the first time, an assurance on AUKUS, despite an ongoing Pentagon review. We're just going now full steam ahead. The President also guaranteed Australia will get the American-built nuclear-powered submarines, which, under the original deal, was at least three. Oh, no, they're getting it. The meeting wasn't in the Oval Office. It was moved to the Cabinet Room for the signing of a critical minerals agreement. The deal is worth $8.5 billion US and will mean both sides invest in projects. Maybe we'll hold this up. So it's not just about shoring up supply for the United States after China threatened to limit exports. It'll also push forward on processing the minerals. And they're crucial to make mobile phones, electric cars and defence equipment. In about a year from now, we'll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won't know what to do with them. So not only did the Prime Minister get in and out unscathed, he ticked a lot of boxes. The deal on critical minerals and the assurance on AUKUS are significant and tangible things to take back to Australia. We've been really an amazing ally when you think of it, right? There's never been any games. We're just... We're strongly committed and they're strongly committed. But the Prime Minister didn't get any movement on the tariffs imposed on Australian goods. He's invited the President to Australia and Donald Trump says he'll give it serious consideration. And perhaps we could time it, must be said, with the President's Cup that Australia hosts as well. When is the President's Cup? We'll organise a time suitable for you, Mr President. LAUGHTER Well, our network political editor, Ashleigh Raper, joins me live from Washington, DC, tonight. Ash, what a day. Gosh, never a dull moment with Donald Trump, but the PM must be pretty thrilled with these results. He certainly would be, Sandra. And the results probably exceeded even the Prime Minister's expectations. Anthony Albanese achieved what he needed to. First, he made a personal connection with the President. It required a bit of sucking up, but not so much that it was cringe or embarrassing for Australians back at home. And second, he locked in deals. It did show that while these two leaders are ideologically different, opposed even, that the Australia-US relationship is bigger than any individual's. Yes, today's success was overshadowed somewhat by the Kevin Rudd exchange, but as I understand it, as the cameras left the room, the ambassador apologised to the President, he accepted, and they moved on. So the word from the Prime Minister's team tonight is that's that, and it allows Anthony Albanese to enjoy what has been a good day for him, Sandra.

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