Trump-Albanese meeting at G7 summit in limbo as US relations sour

All eyes are on whether Anthony Albanese will come face to face with Donald Trump at the G7 summit as the two countries’ relationship is put to the test.

A highly anticipated meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump is yet to be formally locked in, hours before the Prime Minister heads to the United States and Canada.

The two were widely tipped to meet at the G7 Summit in Canada, however Mr Trump still has not confirmed meetings with many of the world leaders attending the summit in Kananaskis, near Calgary.

While Australia is not a member of the G7 countries, Mr Albanese was invited as a special guest by new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The Prime Minister is expected to meet with leaders from the UK, Korea, Japan and Canada during the summit, but all eyes are on whether he will come face to face with Mr Trump.

Mr Trump still has not confirmed meetings with many of the world leaders attending the summit in Kananaskis, near Calgary. Picture: AFP

Mr Albanese is expected to meet with leaders from the UK, Korea, Japan and Canada during the summit. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

That meeting has become more pressing after the US announced a review into the AUKUS trilateral submarine deal and condemned Australia’s sanctions on Israeli ministers.

Australia is also still yet to strike trade deals with the US, which has imposed 10 per cent tariffs on all Australian exports and heftier levies on products like steel and aluminium.

Mr Albanese will travel via Nadi where he will meet with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to discuss climate change and regional security issues.

“Visiting Fiji so soon after the election is a deliberate decision to reinforce my government’s Pacific priorities and to exchange views with my dear friend Prime Minister Rabuka, a respected Pacific statesman,” Mr Albanese said.

The PM will then head to Seattle in the United States, where he will meet with business leaders to discuss how Australia and the US can work together on artificial intelligence and other technologies.

While Australia is not a member of the G7 countries, Mr Albanese was invited as a special guest by new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Picture: Getty Images

There is little chance of Mr Albanese meeting the US President in Seattle on Saturday, with Mr Trump tied up with a massive military parade to celebrate the US Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington DC.

Thousands of soldiers are expected to take part in the parade that will showcase America’s defence might with hundreds of tanks, military vehicles and aircraft on display.

The G7 is made up of seven of the world’s largest economies, including the US, France and Japan, and the meetings in Canada will explore issues involving energy, critical minerals, supply chains, technology, infrastructure and investments.

“I am honoured to be invited by Prime Minister Carney to attend the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta as a key partner,” Mr Albanese said.

“I look forward to working productively with world leaders to discuss how we tackle some of the most challenging issues facing Australia, our region, and the world.”

Originally published as Trump-Albanese meeting at G7 summit in limbo as US relations sour