Inspired by China, Anthony Albanese sets red lines for Donald Trump meeting

Anthony Albanese says he will draw clear lines when he meets Donald Trump on the limits of the nations’ partnership.

Prinme Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to draw clear lines when he meets US President Donald Trump on the limits of the nations’ partnership. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

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Anthony Albanese has vowed to draw clear lines when he meets Donald Trump on the limits of the nations’ partnership, as he declared Australia could learn from China’s fast-rail network and ­centrally planned cities.

Returning to Canberra after a record six-night visit to China, the Prime Minister said he was now focused on securing a first meeting with the US President.

“That’s a priority, and that will happen,” he said in an interview aboard his RAAF jet, amid criticism he had allowed Australia’s ties with its closest ally to drift.

While in China, the Prime Minister hit back at opposition claims that his itinerary was “indulgent”, saying his decision to visit the Great Wall of China and a panda sanctuary in Chengdu were aimed at showing “respect” to Australia’s biggest trading.

Mr Albanese told The Australian he would demonstrate his respect for Mr Trump “by engaging in a clear, forward manner, saying what we can do, what we can’t do”.

“It’s the way that I engage and build relationships,” he said.

“We’re not about to abandon our Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, for example.”

He defended his government’s approach to the US relationship, declaring “our relationship is a positive one”.

“It’s our most important alliance. Obviously, the current US administration has an ‘America First’ policy, as they call it,” Mr Albanese said.

“That has led to a different position on tariffs than what Australia does. So part of engaging is recognising that and dealing with it in our national interest, in the best way we can.”

Anthony Albanese says his top foreign policy priority now is securing a first meeting with Donald Trump.

As well as pushing back on US criticism of Australia’s PBS as part of Mr Trump’s tariff blitz, Mr Albanese has rejected Pentagon calls for Australia to pre-commit to supporting the US if it goes to war with China over Taiwan, and for Canberra to nearly double the ­nation’s defence budget.

Asked whether he was preparing to unveil a major defence spending package when he met with Mr Trump, Mr Albanese said: “I’m planning to have a defence policy that is in Australia’s national interest. Simple as that.

“That’s what we do – build on our capability.”

He was also dismissive of a review of AUKUS ordered by US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, which some fear could force changes to the ­nations’ nuclear submarine pact.

“Look, AUKUS is in Australia’s national interest, and it’s in the interest of the US,” Mr Albanese said. He signalled the meeting with Mr Trump was likely to occur at a multilateral meeting, such as the upcoming Quad meeting in New Delhi, or the G20 in Johannesburg, rather than at the White House, where Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa found themselves on the receiving end of presidential tirades.

“There’ll be multiple meetings between now and the end of the year. Australia and the US are both members of a range of international gatherings,” he said.

On a high after his trip to China, the self-confessed “urban policy nerd” lauded that country’s centrally planned cities and rapid transport links.

Despite concerns Australia would never have the market to make fast-rail a reality, Mr Albanese said “I think … we certainly can do”.

“We have our High Speed Rail Authority,” he said.

“I want the first part of that to be to Newcastle. It’s a way of taking pressure off the capital cities as well on the east coast.”

Anthony Albanese meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China last week. Picture: Prime Minister’s Office

Mr Albanese, who has pledged $500m so far for the Sydney to Newcastle route, said he wanted to see progress on policy during this term of government.

“The person who is overseeing that for the commonwealth (Tim Parker) is the person who oversaw the Sydney Metro.

“Sydney Metro has been a huge success.”

“Obviously, it’s a very long-term project. We’re looking to receive the business case and to go through that this term.”

Mr Albanese also enthused over China’s smart cities, including a new “five minute city” in Chengdu that “will have business, residential and everything, all in one spot”.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said the Prime Minister needed to prioritise securing a meeting with Mr Trump after his “extended visit” to China.

“Mr Albanese needs to focus his international attention on securing the AUKUS alliance and gaining exemptions from US tariffs,” she said.

“At a time of global uncertainty, growing conflict and a growing list of issues in the Australia-US relationship, now is a time to build our influence in Washington, not diminish it.

“The US-Australia alliance in 2025 needs to be stronger than ever, not put on the back burner, as Mr Albanese has done.”