Anthony Albanese could meet Donald Trump within days
Anthony Albanese is set to get a second chance at meeting with Donald Trump – as soon as next week – after the US President’s sudden exit at the G7 summit left the PM high and dry.
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Anthony Albanese might get a do-over for a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump as soon as next week with both leaders now considering attending the NATO Summit at The Hague.
Unlike Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum who spoke with Mr Trump after he abruptly left the G7 before their scheduled meeting, Mr Albanese said he had not heard from the US president.
He insisted he was not offended by the snub and reiterated he was one of a number of leaders left hanging when the president returned to the White House to deal with the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
“But we’re all mature about that,” Mr Albanese said.
“We understand the circumstances which are there, and we have agreed through our American friends we will reschedule the meeting.”
Mr Albanese confirmed he was considering attending the next meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation scheduled next week in the Netherlands.
Mr Trump is also expected to attend and when asked whether it was his intention to meet with the president during that trip, he said: “I’m considering discussions with a range of people…”.
Mr Albanese danced around a question about how he learned his meeting with the president had been cancelled.
The prime minister said he had not personally contacted the president to offer support as he grappled with the escalating Middle East conflict but said his government had been briefed on the situation.
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PM REVEALS DEFENCE PACT WITH EU
PM Albanese has revealed Australia will negotiate a defence pact with the EU.
In a post on X, he said “Australia is deepening our trade, security and defence ties with the EU.”
He explained the pact “will be a framework for our current and growing collaboration in areas like defence industry, cyber, and counter-terrorism.”
He continued: “And we’re resuming negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, which will mean more jobs in Australia and Europe.”
Australia is deepening our trade, security and defence ties with the EU.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 18, 2025
Today we've agreed to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership.
This will be a framework for our current and growing collaboration in areas like defence industry, cyber, and counter-terrorism.
And… pic.twitter.com/hkrl9IBhho
ALBO MEETS WITH TOP TRUMP TEAM
Anthony Albanese has squeezed in a meeting with Donald Trump’s senior economic team on the sidelines of the G7.
After missing his one-on-one meeting with the President who abruptly flew back to Washington DC to deal with the Middle East crisis, Mr Albanese has instead met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and the President’s key economic adviser Kevin Hassett.
He was joined at the meeting by Australia’s Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd where they discussed trade, tariffs, critical minerals and rare earths.
ALBO MEETS WITH STARMER: ‘NO RELATIONSHIP MORE IMPORTANT’
Mr Albanese has described the United Kingdom as Australia’s most important relationship as he sat down with his British counterpart to discuss the future of AUKUS.
The $370 billion submarine defence pact was high on the agenda after Mr Starmer was able to meet with Mr Trump’s whose government is reviewing the trilateral pact.
After Sir Keir’s meeting, Mr Trump offered no dispute to his declaration that the subs deal would go ahead in a glimmer of hope for Australia’s submarine aspirations.
“As far as bilateral relationships between our countries could not be stronger in my view,” the UK PM said.
He said the countries had taken the relationship to “another level when it comes to defence and security”, including through AUKUS, energy, and other global issues.
“There’s no relationship that’s more important than the one between our two great nations, we do share values, we have a great economic relationship the free trade agreement has really worked in both of our interests, we have considerable investment that’s two way but also the defence relationship is of course of important with AUKUS,” Mr Albanese said of the UK.
He praised Sir Keir’s leadership in support for Ukraine and said Australia was proud to help train soldiers from the war-torn nation.
“If we can get some advance in peace Australia certainly will consider being part of the Coalition of the Willing and I look forward to continuing to work with you and to catching up both in Australia and in the UK,” Mr Albanese said.
ALBO AND ZELENSKY SHARE WARM EMBRACE
Anthony Albanese has greeted embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a warm embrace on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.
The two leaders were spotted stepping out of a line-up to hug and pat each other on the back while gathering to pose for a family photo for outreach partners and members of the G7.
Mr Zelensky was embraced by other leaders including the Prime Ministers from Japan, France and Canada.
The show of solidarity came after Russia pounded Kyiv overnight in a missile and drone bombardment that flattened an apartment building and killed at least 15 people.
Australia is not a formal member of the G7 but Mr Albanese was invited as a guest of Canadian PM Mark Carney.
In a post on X, PM Albanese said “Australia is playing our part” at the G7.
A day earlier, Mr Trump derailed his first appearance of the G7 by lobbying for Russia to be reinstalled as a member of the former G8 group. He was evicted in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea.
Mr Trump sensationally claimed the Ukraine Russia war would not have happened if Mr Putin was not excluded from the G8.
Late Mr Albanese swiftly rejected a question asking whether he would consider inviting Vladimir Putin to Australia, saying: “no we wouldn’t”.
EU GIVES ALBO A HURRY UP
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly pressed Anthony Albanese on what he can do to help finalise a free-trade agreement between Australia and the European Union.
The Prime Minister shook off the disappointing cancellation of his meeting with Donald Trump and forged ahead with a packed schedule of engagements with other world leaders gathered in the Canadian Rockies for the G7 leader’s summit on Tuesday local time.
In his first meeting of the day, he met with Mr Merz to discuss the Ukraine war and free trade negotiations with the European Union.
As the meeting began and before reporters were ushered out of the room, Mr Albanese said the countries shared “an important economic partnership to both of our benefits”.
He highlighted the work being done on green hydrogen and other renewable energies and said Germany’s successful manufacturing sector was a “great model” for Australian.
“And our friendship is very strong,” Mr Albanese said.
“And I want to thank you as well for your support for the free trade agreement we are trying to get done with the European Union. It’s very important.”
Mr Merz then interjected and asked the PM: “Is there anything what we can do, or I can do to speed it up a little bit?”
“Well, we’re very keen,” Mr Albanese said.
“I’m seeing Ursula (von der Leyen, the European Commission President) a little bit later we’re very keen on getting it done quickly, and so I’ll see other people while I’m here to try accelerate it.”
‘SET AN EXAMPLE’: JAPAN SINGS PRAISES OF AUSSIE ALLIANCE
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says the Japan-Australia alliance is an example to other nations in an increasingly complicated global environment.
Meeting with Mr Albanese at the Group of Seven Summit, Mr Ishiba said the international economy was increasingly complex.
“At the G7 we have discussed in a very frank and fruitful manner about the state of international affairs,” he said speaking alongside the Australian Prime Minister before a private meeting.
“ “It is becoming more complex, with Ukraine, Middle East and Asia, everything is connected in the world.
“And under such circumstances, I think Japan-Australia, co-ordination really continues to set an example of what a like minded country’s co-operation is and going forward together, I would like to make sure that a free and open Pacific will be realised.”
Mr Ishiba said as the countries next year celebrated 50 years since signing the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation to expand bilateral ties: “I look forward to taking our special strategic partnership to new heights.”
Mr Albanese said the countries shared a partnership and strategic relationship that was “closer than it has ever been”.
“Across our economic relationship, we are important and reliable energy suppliers, of course, for Japan, we welcome Japanese investment in Australia as well. And increasingly in recent years, our defence ties have become more important,” he said.
“Both of countries are strong supporters of free and fair trade, and that is something that has brought prosperity to not just our nations, but to our region.
“Now we are working on the next economic transformation, the transition to net zero. I look
forward very much to continuing to build the relationship, and we should make sure both of us that the 50 year anniversary next year is celebrated in a very special way.”
Originally published as Anthony Albanese could meet Donald Trump within days
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