‘He’s very good’: Donald Trump, world leaders react to Anthony Albanese’s election win
Anthony Albanese has confirmed he has spoken with Donald Trump after the US President revealed he had no clue who Peter Dutton was.
Federal Election
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Anthony Albanese has confirmed he spoke with US President Donald Trump in his first press conference following Labor’s emphatic election win.
The Prime Minister described the chat, which occurred at The Lodge shortly before the press conference, as “warm” and “generous,” and thanked Mr Trump for reaching out.
Mr Albanese revealed they spoke about AUKUS and tariffs, and said the pair would continue to engage, while also hinting at a “face-to-face” meeting at “some time in the future”.
“It was a very warm discussion about the friendship between our two nations that’s so important,” he told reporters from Parliament House on Monday.
“I won’t go into all of the personal comments that he made but it was very generous in his personal warmth and praise towards myself. He was fully aware of the outcome and he expressed the desire to continue to work with me in the future.”
Although he said he had accepted an invitation from the newly elected Canadian prime minister Mark Carney to attend the G7 Summit in June, he declined to say whether he would visit Mr Trump any sooner.
“We’ll wait and see. We’ll make appropriate announcements. My first international visit will be just like last time... to Indonesia,” he said.
“That was something that President Prabowo and I had discussed before. It’s something I intend to do.
“Our region is so important. The relationships that we have built are so important.”
Speaking from the Prime Minister’s courtyard, Mr Albanese said he had spoken to a number of world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as past leaders like Tony Blair and Matteo Renzi.
It comes as Donald Trump has been blamed for the demise of Peter Dutton’s political career but the US President says he has no clue who the former opposition leader is.
Despite dominating Australia’s election campaign, Mr Trump said he knew little about the vote as he arrived back at the White House on Sunday night (local time).
“Albanese I’m very friendly with,” Mr Trump said when asked about the Australian election result being impacted by “the trump effect.
“I don’t know anything about the election other than the man that won … he’s very good, he’s a friend of mine.
“I can only say that’s he’s been very nice to me, very respectful.
“I have no idea who the other person is that ran against him, and, you know, we’ve had a very good relationship.”
It comes after a Republican strategist who worked on Mr Trump’s 2024 campaign allegedly told undercover reporters he had helped advise the LNP’s campaign on “structural issues”.
The US President has loomed large over the Australian election with both Mr Dutton and Mr Albanese claiming they were best placed to negotiate trade tariffs with Mr Trump.
World leaders have been quick to congratulate Mr Albanese on his historic victory, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a formal comment on the result, congratulating Mr Albanese for his success.
“Australia is a valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States,” Mr Rubio said.
“Our shared values and democratic traditions provide the bedrock for an enduring alliance and for the deep ties between our peoples.
“The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.”
MACRON CONGRATULATES ALBO
Speaking in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt on Sunday, Mr Albanese said that Papua New Guinean leader James Marape, who called him at 7.45am, was the first foreign leader to congratulate him.
Mr Marape’s call was followed by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who had earlier tweeted his best wishes.
Congratulations, dear Prime Minister @AlboMP, on your re-election. In the face of global challenges, Australia and France have so much to achieve together — especially in the Indo-Pacific. Let us continue to write, with ambition and friendship, the new chapter of our partnership. pic.twitter.com/wpeCjRAvDs
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 3, 2025
“Congratulations @AlboMP on your re-election,” he posted on X.
“New Zealand has no better friend and no greater ally than Australia. I look forward to continuing our work together.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also sent his congratulations, heralding the “new chapter of our partnership”.
CHINA: ‘READY TO WORK’
China said it is ready to work with the incumbent Australian government, as it congratulated the Labor Party on its landslide re-election.
“China stands ready to work with the new Australian government led by Prime Minister Albanese and, under the fundamental guidance provided by the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, continue advancing a more mature, stable, and productive comprehensive strategic partnership,” the ministry said.
This would be done to benefit both countries and “contribute positively to the peace and stability of the region and beyond”, it said.
RUBIO, ZELENSKY, STARMER SEND BEST WISHES
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was one of the first to send his well wishes as he expressed hope to deepen Washington’s “enduring alliance” with an ally in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Australia is a valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States,” Mr Rubio said in a statement.
“The United States looks forward to deepening its relationship with Australia to advance our common interests and promote freedom and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said he hoped to further strengthen ties between Kyiv and Canberra.
“Ukraine sincerely values Australia’s unwavering support and its principled stance on ending Russia’s war and securing a dignified and lasting peace,” he said.
“We look forward to further strengthening our productive partnership.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Albanese by recognising the two countries as “close as ever”.
“I know that we will continue to work together on our shared ambitions,” he wrote on X, hailing their “collaboration on defence”, support for Ukraine and their joint AUKUS security agreement with the US.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Mr Albanese’s election victory would strengthen ties between the India and Australia.
India has deepened defence cooperation with Australia in recent years as part of the Quad alliance with the US and Japan, a grouping seen as a bulwark against China.
“Congratulations on your resounding victory and re-election... This emphatic mandate indicates the enduring faith of the Australian people in your leadership,” Mr Modi said in a statement.
Mr Albanese is the first Australian prime minister to win consecutive terms in two decades after a staggering victory that has given Labor about 84 seats.
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