Key details of secret Donald Trump and Kevin Rudd meeting revealed

Fresh revelations confirm Australia’s US ambassador Kevin Rudd met Donald Trump privately in Florida in January, as the Albanese government comes under renewed scrutiny for its management of Australia’s relationship with Washington.

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Fresh details have surfaced about a private January meeting between US President Donald Trump and Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, as the Albanese government continues to face scrutiny over its handling of relations with Washington.

While little was known about the meeting, responses to several questions lobbed by opposition ­finance spokesman James Paterson during Senate estimates earlier this year note the date and location of the tete-a-tete between Mr Rudd and Mr Trump.

“Ambassador Rudd met President Trump in the dining room of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on January 11, 2025,” the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in response to a question about the pair’s engagement.

Mr Rudd has led Australia’s engagement with the Trump administration. Picture: NewsWire

The correspondence also revealed that a diplomatic cable was produced following the meeting, and noted: “Ambassador Rudd has professional relationships with and has met with a range of senior administration officials.”

Mr Trump’s ever-evolving trade agenda took a sharp turn this week as he announced a delay to the implementation of some of the most damaging levies on US imports, while hitting copper and pharmaceuticals with new tariffs.

Asked about the new levies on Thursday, Anthony Albanese said his government was continuing to engage with the Trump administration but reiterated that any agreement would be in Australia’s national interest.

“I’ve made it very clear that the issues – such as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the Media Bargaining Code … and our bio laws to protect our agricultural interest – are not on the table for negotiations,” he said.

“They’re a part of who Australia is,” the Prime Minister added, pledging to engage “constructively” with the White House.

Facing a looming August 1 deadline for the imposition of so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” dozens of US trading partners are under pressure to finalise new trade deals, with Mr Trump expressing confidence further agreements will be concluded in coming days.

Although the US has reached preliminary arrangements with Britain, Vietnam and China, details remain sparse.

Meanwhile, other countries such as Japan are moving to accelerate negotiations, with its top trade negotiator revealing talks have progressed in recent days.

Despite offering few substantive proposals to resolve the tariff impasse, opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan on Thursday reiterated his criticism of Mr Rudd’s role in the negotiations with the Trump administration.

“Obviously, Kevin Rudd hasn’t helped,” he told Sky News.