PM blasted for ‘very casual’ approach to Donald Trump relationship

Anthony Albanese has been blasted for being “Airbus Albo” in his first term but now struggling to “get on a plane” to meet Donald Trump.

A senior Coalition senator has blasted Anthony Albanese for taking a “very casual” approach to his relationship with Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister was set to have his first face-to-face with the US President on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada this week.

But Mr Trump had to bail due to the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East, leaving Mr Albanese and several other world leaders hanging.

Both Labor and the opposition have said it was “understandable” given the circumstances.

But that Mr Albanese has not yet met Mr Trump in person has made Australia a noticeable outlier at a time of uncertainty about Washington’s commitment to the alliance with Canberra.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said on Thursday that Mr Albanese “trying to get it done now” was not good enough.

Senior Coalition senator Bridget McKenzie has blasted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for not meeting with US President Donald Trump. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“He’s had seven months,” Senator McKenzie told Sky News.

“I think it’s been very casual. Other world leaders have flown in to have that relationship.

“Seriously, you can’t be ‘Airbus Albo’ in your first term of parliament and struggle to get on a plane to go meet our greatest strategic ally.”

She said other world leaders who missed out sitting down with Mr Trump were “not that concerned” because they already had done so.

“Our strategic alliance is so important with the United States,” Senator McKenzie said.

“The Prime Minister needs to prioritise that personal relationship instead of sending all the wrong signals – against Israel and the US on the floor of the UN, not being serious about tariffs and having a faux argument on defence spending with the President.”

Mr Albanese has been weighing up going to a snap NATO summit in the Netherlands next week. Attending would give him another opportunity to meet Mr Trump.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says she is ‘sure’ a meeting will occur between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Earlier, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Mr Albanese was still considering whether to go, but she was “sure” a meeting between the two leaders would occur at some point.

“In relation to the President, I’m sure there will be a meeting scheduled, and the Prime Minister looks forward to building on three very constructive phone calls,” Senator Wong told Nine.

“It’s good to have some perspective here – there is a war going on in the Middle East, there’s a war going on in Europe.

“President Trump left the G7, obviously wasn’t able to meet the Prime Minister and wasn’t able to proceed with the scheduled meeting.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is ‘still considering’ attending next week’s NATO summit in the Netherlands. Picture: Stefan Rousseau / NewsWire

“He also wasn’t able to have his scheduled meeting with the President of (South) Korea or the Prime Minister of India, so this is understandable in the circumstances.”

Mr Albanese on Wednesday also said he was “still considering” attending the NATO summit and declined to confirm when a meeting with Mr Trump would be rescheduled.

“We’ll meet soon and I’m sure that will occur. From time to time meetings are rescheduled, that’s what happens,” Mr Albanese told reporters from the G7.

“Those discussions have taken place over a period of time, and we’ll continue to engage.”

Originally published as PM blasted for ‘very casual’ approach to Donald Trump relationship