Donald Trump salutes ‘richest man in Australia’
The US President singled out a well-known Aussie for praise at a meeting to thank investors pumping cash into American industry.
Manufacturing
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US President Donald Trump has paid tribute to one of his favourite Australians during an event at the White House’s grand foyer this week.
Cardboard box tzar Anthony Pratt was among about 80 business leaders invited to Washington for Mr Trump to thank for investing in American industry on Wednesday.
Melbourne-raised Mr Pratt, who now lives in the US, has committed AU$7.82 billion to create 5000 jobs in rust-belt states – a move that has earned the President’s favour.
“Executive global chairman of Pratt Industries, friend of mine, Anthony Pratt – he’s investing $US5 billion, thank you,” Mr Trump told the crowd.
“I read a report that he’s the richest man in Australia, but who the hell knows. Do you think you’re the richest man in Australia?”
Mr Pratt, who is according to Forbes the eighth wealthiest Australian, appeared to hesitate and gestured he was not sure, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Mr Trump went on to say Visy chair was “close” to being the richest.
“I don’t like to put you on the spot like that, Anthony, but that’s pretty good”.
Axios reported Mr Pratt’s investments would target “key industrial states” like Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
“To make America great again, we need to make in America again,” he said.
“That’s why I’m proud to support the president’s call to re-industrialise America and again make the US the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.”
Mr Trump’s praise was a far cry from previous remarks about Mr Pratt, who he once called a “red-haired weirdo” during a media scandal in 2023.
The President had reportedly shared details about US nuclear submarines with the Pratt Industries boss while at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in 2021.
Mr Pratt was identified as a potential witness in a now abandoned trial over Mr Trump’s alleged handling of classified documents.
Mr Pratt’s company has dozens of factories in the States which supply major US organisations such as Walmart, Home Depot and the US Postal Service.
He is worth a reported AU$11 billion, and a member of Mar-a-Lago.
The billionaire matched Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart in taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times to congratulate Mr Trump on his election victory earlier this year.
“I’m honoured to support your call to make America great again by bringing manufacturing jobs home,” Mr Pratt’s ad read.
“We have built 70 factories in America and under your leadership we will invest billions more to create thousands of American manufacturing jobs.”
The Australian Final Reviewreported in December that Mr Pratt donated AU$15 million toward the Republican’s successful 2024 election campaign.
Originally published as Donald Trump salutes ‘richest man in Australia’
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