Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on October 20, marking their first official in-person discussion. This meeting follows Albanese’s omission from the list of world leaders scheduled to meet Trump during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he might still have the opportunity to talk to Trump at a leaders’ reception.
Despite having engaged in four amicable phone calls, this upcoming face-to-face meeting has gained significance amid criticism from Albanese’s political adversaries. They have pointed out the Prime Minister’s lack of direct engagement with the U.S. president, especially concerning the ongoing Pentagon review of the AUKUS agreement and existing tariffs on Australian exports to the United States.
The AUKUS pact, which is likely to be a key topic during the October meeting, has faced scepticism from former members of the Trump administration regarding its perceived value. The Australian government has already commenced payments for nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. However, calls have arisen in Washington for the submarine delivery to be contingent upon Australia’s support in a potential conflict involving China.
Additionally, Albanese’s government is expected to push for exemptions from Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, bearing in mind that while Australia hasn’t been singled out for specific tariff measures, the likelihood of the tariffs being entirely rescinded remains slim.
This upcoming meeting is seen as a crucial step for Albanese to solidify Australia’s position in international relations, particularly in light of the strategic implications surrounding the AUKUS agreement and trade dynamics with the U.S.