Donald Trump to leave G7 Summit before meeting with Anthony Albanese

Donald Trump will make a swift exit from the G7 Summit before his scheduled meeting with Anthony Albanese, who had just welcomed the pair’s face-to-face.

Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump has been axed after the US President left the G7 early due to the Israel-Iran conflict.

The Prime Minister had locked in a meeting with Mr Trump on Wednesday (AEST), but it was canned at the last minute, along with meetings the President had planned with other world leaders.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Mr Trump’s departure from Canada on X earlier on Tuesday.

“(The) President had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.”

Just moments before the news broke, Mr Albanese had been welcoming the meeting with the US leader.

A government spokesperson said the cancellation was understandable “given what is occurring in the Middle East”.

“As the Prime Minister said a short time ago, we are very concerned about the events in the Middle East and continue to urge all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy,” they said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Canada. Picture: Michael Kappeler / NewsWire Pool

Despite Mr Trump’s last minute cancellation, Mr Albanese will still hold talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, plus a trilateral with European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Commission President António Costa.

In addition to his bilateral with Australia, Mr Trump had also lined up meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy, Mexican President Claudia Sheinb, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Lee.

While Sussan Ley agreed the cancelled meeting was “disappointing” but “understandable” given the “deteriorating situation in the Middle East,” the Opposition Leader said it would be to the “detriment of Australia”.

“The Prime Minister should have been more proactive in seeking to strengthen this relationship – Australia’s most important – and we encourage him to change his approach to advance our national interest,” she said.

“As Australians we must step up our engagement across the board with the United States. The Coalition reiterates our offer of support to the Albanese government to work with them in any capacity we can to advance our national interest.

“We want them to succeed.”

However, the Coalition assistant treasury spokesman Dave Sharma, a former Australian diplomat, had stronger criticisms.

“This is an abject failure of Australian diplomacy. The UK has already negotiated and signed a trade agreement with the US,” he wrote on X.

“PM Albanese has not even managed to meet President Trump.”

Speaking to reporters, Mr Albanese said he had thoroughly prepared for the meeting, including calls with Australian golf legend Greg Norman.

“I always prep seriously for meetings where I’m representing Australia,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

Mr Albanese said he had also engaged with Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, as well as people across the political spectrum.

“I’ve engaged as much as possible, because I think that I have a great responsibility,” he said.

“I take that responsibility seriously, and I look forward to tomorrow’s meeting, and not just with President Trump.

Mr Albanese had welcomed the meeting with Mr Trump shortly before The White House confirmed the US President’s departure. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“It is important to say that tomorrow as well, I’ll be meeting the Prime Minister of Japan. I’ll be meeting with the European leaders.”

Coalition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan immediately called on the government to state how it now planned on securing a tariff exemption.

“Australia’s economic and security relationship with the United States is one of our most important,” Mr Hogan said.

“With global uncertainty on the rise, it is more important than ever that our government acts with clarity and purpose.

“The Prime Minister must provide assurances on what his plan is now to ensure he gets a face-to-face meeting with President Trump.”

Mr Trump’s swift exit from the Leader’s Summit comes after Israel and Iran intensified attacks against each other, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging the US to offer support.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump called on people living in Iran’s capital of Tehran to “immediately evacuate,” foreshadowing an escalation in tensions.

“Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Mr Trump wrote.

“I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

Mr Albanese has called for a de-escalation of violence, stating that he wants “to see peace and security in the region”.

“We are deeply concerned, and we have urged all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.”

Albo appears to nab AUKUS win

It comes only hours after Mr Albanese had seemingly shored up support for the continuation of the major AUKUS defence pact ahead of his anticipated meeting with Mr Trump.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced his support for the two-plank deal after meeting with the US President on Tuesday morning (AEST).

There has been speculation the AUKUS pact is under threat after a Pentagon review was announced.

It will allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines in tranche one and allow Australia, the US, and the UK to share advanced military technologies in tranche two.

Sir Keir and Mr Trump held a bilateral meeting on Tuesday morning (AEST), ahead of Anthony Albanese’s highly anticipated 20-minute meeting with the US leader on Wednesday.

Mr Albanese has said ensuring the US’ continued backing of AUKUS is one of his key goals.

Answering a question on the defence pact on Tuesday, Sir Keir said AUKUS was “really important” to both the US and the UK.

The AUKUS pact is expected to be a key topic in discussions between Mr Albanese and Mr Trump this week. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

“Yep, we’re proceeding with that,” he said.

“I think the person that is doing a review – we did a review when we came into government, so that makes good sense to me. But it’s a really important deal.”

Mr Trump said: “We’re very long-time partners and allies and friends, and we’ve become friends in a short period of time.

“He’s slightly more liberal than I am, but for some reason we get along.”

Mr Albanese is expected to speak to reporters at Calgary at about 9am AEST, where he will almost certainly be asked about the comments.

It comes amid mounting pressure for Mr Albanese to secure a tariff exemption with the United States, after Mr Trump indicated he could “work something out” with Canada.

Speaking to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney overnight on Tuesday (AEST), Mr Trump said while the leaders had “different concepts” on tariffs, he was open to adjusting the punishing 50 per cent levies on Canadian steel and aluminium imports and a retaliatory 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods.

“We’re going to see if we can get to the bottom of it today,” Mr Trump told reporters ahead of his meeting with Mr Carney.

US President Donald Trump has said he and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had “different concepts” on tariffs. Picture: Michael Kappeler / NewsWire Pool

“I’m a tariff person, I’ve always been a tariff person.

“It’s simple, it’s easy, it’s precise, and it just goes very quickly and I think Mark has a more complex idea, but also very good.”

The comments come as the Prime Minister is set to meet with Mr Trump on Wednesday morning (AEST), where a tariff exemption and a renewed commitment on AUKUS will be the focus of talks.

Mr Albanese – who met with Mr Carney earlier this week – said a successful face-to-face with Mr Trump would be one in which Australia could “put forward our position”.

He was firm that he would not “pre-empt” an outcome of the highly anticipated meeting.

Anthony Albanese is set to meet with Donald Trump on Wednesday (AEST). Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Mr Albanese described the tariffs – which include a 50 per cent levy on steel, a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium and a 10 per cent retaliatory levy on other Australian imports – as an “act of economic self-harm”.

He also refrained from committing to Taiwan’s aid in the event of an invasion by China – something US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth tipped to happen in the next three years.

“That’s what we want (peace and security in the region), and Australia is a trusted partner to promote peace and security in our region,” Mr Albanese said.

“We have been so forever. If you look at the role that Australia has played, we’ll continue to play an important role in the Pacific.”

His comments come as ongoing security in the Indo-Pacific is set to be a key topic ahead of Mr Albanese’s bilateral meetings with South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung and NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte on Tuesday morning (AEST).

Mr Albanese will meet with several world leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada. Picture: Michael Kappeler / NewsWire Pool

This will be Mr Albanese’s first in-person meeting with Mr Lee, however the pair have previously spoken on the phone.

Australia’s continued support of Ukraine following Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022 is also expected to be canvassed in Mr Albanese’s talks with Mr Rutte.

While Australia has consistently moved to condemn Russia for its war on Ukraine, on Tuesday (AEST) Mr Trump said it was a mistake for past leaders to evict Russia from the G8 after President Vladimir Putin invaded the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Although he wouldn’t go so far as to say that Mr Putin should be reinvited, he claimed the world “wouldn’t have a war right now” if Russia remained a G8 partner.

“I’m not going to say he should at this point, because too much water’s gone over the dam, maybe. But it was a big mistake,” he said.

Originally published as Donald Trump to leave G7 Summit before meeting with Anthony Albanese