Trump-Turnbull transcript shows call was one of PM’s finest moments

Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Malcolm Turnbull as Michael Flynn and Stephen Bannon listen in.

Thanks to a leaked transcript we know now that Malcolm Turnbull’s explosive phone call with Donald Trump ranks as one his finest moments as prime minister.

He was up against an American president raging like a bull against a refugee deal which he feared would make him ‘look so bad.’

In the face of a sometimes wild rant by Trump, the transcript of their conversation shows Turnbull to be consistently polite, measured, disciplined and forceful in defending Australia’s interests.

• TRANSCRIPT: Read the full text of the phone call

During the extraordinary 24 minute conversation it clearly dawned on the prime minister that Trump had almost no understanding of the background to the refugee deal including why there were people detained on Nauru and Manus Island and why Australia was trying to stop boats. It was up to Turnbull then and there to explain the policy in a way that Trump would understand.

At stake was the Obama deal to take refugees from Nauru and Manus Island relieving the Government of one of its most intractable policy and human rights issues.

“What is the thing about boats, why do you discriminate against boats?’ Trumps asks.

Turnbull replies calmly: “Let me explain ...” The prime minister then gives a succinct and simple summary of Australia’s immigration policy to the new US president.

Trump, who appeared not to have been briefed on any aspect of Australia’s policy, assumed that because asylum seekers were detained on Nauru and Manus Island they were in effect prisoners so they must be criminals.

“Why haven’t you let them out? Why have you not let them into your society,” Trumps asks.

Again, Turnbull replies calmly: “OK, I will explain why.” Turnbull explains that they are not on Nauru and Manus because they are bad people but rather as a deterrent to people smugglers. “So we said if you try to come to Australia by boat, even if we think you are the best person in the world, even if you are a Nobel Prize winning genius, we will not let you in,” says Turnbull.

Trump is impressed: “That is a good idea. We should do that too. You are worse than I am.”

Trump then goes further to claim those of Nauru and Manus are at risk of becoming terrorists.

“Does anybody know who these people are? Who are they? Where do they come from? Are they going to become the Boston bomber in five years, or two years?”

Once again, Turnbull replies calmly: “Let me explain. We know exactly who they are.”

The president then tells Turnbull that he had heard the resettlement deal involved close to 5000 people. Turnbull immediately corrects him: “The given number in the agreement is 1,250 and it is entirely a matter of your vetting.”

By this stage Trump is furious, saying it was “a horrible deal, a disgusting deal that I would never have made” and it is an “embarrassment to the United States.”

Then Turnbull turns up the heat in a polite but forceful way.

First he uses the Australia-US alliance as collateral for the favour which Australia is asking of the US.

“I am asking you as a very good friend. This is a big deal. It is really, really important to us that we maintain it,” he says.

Turnbull then goes onto to say: “I say to you there is nothing more important in business or politics than a deal is a deal ... you can certainly say that it was not a deal that you would have done, but you are going to stick with it.”

By the end of the phone call, Trump has worked himself into a near rage. “I will be seen as a weak and ineffective leader in my first week by these people (US voters). This is a killer ... this is the most unpleasant call all day. Putin was a pleasant call. This is ridiculous ... this is crazy.”

For one final time Turnbull replies in a composed manner: “Thank you for your commitment. It is very important to us.”

Trump replies: “It is important to you but embarrassing to me.”

The calls ends abruptly. Trump is furious not least because he knows Turnbull has him in a corner.

The prime minister secured the deal Australia was looking for in the most trying of circumstances using nothing but calm logic and rational explanation. For that he should be congratulated.