Barack Obama invites Malcolm Turnbull to Washington

Malcolm Turnbull is likely to visit Washington within months after Barack Obama invited him for an official visit.

Malcolm Turnbull and Barack Obama at their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit today.

Malcolm Turnbull is likely to visit Washington DC within months after US President Barack Obama invited him for an official visit.

The invitation came at the end of the first formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders, where the war on terror was at the top of the agenda.

The trip could come early in the new year, just as the Prime Minister prepares for an election fight in 2016 where his handling of foreign policy and the war against terror will be central to judgments about his leadership.

About 18 months after Mr Obama welcomed Mr Abbott to the White House to greet a new Australian prime minister, the US President extended his hospitality to Australia’s new leader and said the friendship between the two nations held firm regardless of who was in power.

“We had a chance to talk about our own bilateral trade and exchanges, and as part of that I extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Washington sometime soon,” Mr Obama said.

“He’s agreed so we’re going to be able to set up a time. Unfortunately it’ll probably be in the winter and it’ll be a little cold. That’s always a little worrisome for folks down under but we’ll try to make it as comfortable and as productive as possible.

“It’s not surprising that we had an excellent meeting. This typically is how Americans and Aussies get alone. And we are incredibly grateful for their friendship and their partnership, and it’s one that extends regardless of party and whoever’s occupying the respective seats in our countries.”