PM Albanese claws back US meeting after Donald Trump's early G7 departure

News.com.au

18-06-2025

Anthony Albanese has managed to meet some senior Americans at the G7 in Canada – even if it's not Donald Trump himself.
On Tuesday morning, hours after the US president left the G7 venue at Kananaskis in The Rocky Mountains for Washington DC, Mr Albanese teed up plan B US meeting a powwow with US treasury secretary Scott Bessant, the most senior American that remained at the G7 summit.
However, in what looks like an example of Mr Trump valuing relationships with other nations above Australia, it's been confirmed the US president spoke at least on the phone to a leader whose G7 meeting he additionally missed due to his early departure.
Mr Albanese is now 'considering' attending the NATO summit in Europe next week which could lead to a meeting with Mr Trump.
Also at the summit, Australia announced further sanctions on Russia's 'shadow fleet' of ships that are designed to avoid sanctions on oil exports. Australia will also start negotiations with the European Union on a security and defence partnership.
Trump calls leader he snubbed, not Albo
On Tuesday, local time, The White House has confirmed that Mr Trump and Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum had a phone call. Mr Trump had been expected to meet Ms Sheinbaum at the G7, but like Mr Albanese that meeting was cancelled.
Asked by news.com.au if he would appreciate a phone call from Mr Trump, as Ms Sheinbaum had received, the PM said he 'wasn't driven by issues like that'.
'There's important things happening and (Mr Trump's departure) is understandable.
'I'm mature about things like that'.
Mr Trump's departure from Canada, after just one day of the two day summit, was undoubtedly a blow for the PM.
While he may not have relished meeting with the mercurial Mr Trump, Australia also had issues to discuss: from the AUKUS defence deal to tariffs.
Besides, Mr Albanese has never met Mr Trump in person and that lack of face time is becoming somewhat awkward.
The PM told reporters that there was no date set to meet Mr Trump. 'Meetings are rescheduled, that's what happens,' he said.
Mr Albanese meUS treasury secretary Mr Bessant and, separately with Australia's US ambassador Kevin Rudd, US trade representative Jamieson Greer and the director of the US National Economic Council Kevin Haslett.
The meetings were said to be 'cordial' and, given the people involved, focused on trade including tariffs.
But such is the current White House, that nations can have as many meetings as they want with US officials, however it's only Mr Trump that really matters and who makes the decisions.
In addition, a meeting with trade officials is fine but it will have meant no discussions were had with the US on AUKUS.
Mr Trump may have scarpered but the G7 went on regardless with Mr Albanese having multiple meetings with world leaders including those from Germany, Japan, the UK, the European Union and France.
Mr Albanese also took part in the extended G7 'family photo'. The leaders of the seven core countries – with Mr Trump in tow – did their snap yesterday.
On Tuesday, a Trump-less G7 added Narendra Modi of India, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Ukraine's Mr Zelensky and, of course, Mr Albanese to an additional photo.
After the picture was taken, the PM was seen warmly embracing Mr Zelensky. They may have both commiserated one another of their missed meetings with Mr Trump.
German Chancellor Merz offered to grease the wheels of trade in his meeting with Australia.
'I want to thank you for your support for the free trade agreement we are trying to get done with the European Union. It's very important,' Mr Albanese said to the Chancellor.
'Is there anything what we can do, or I can do to speed it up a little bit?' said Mr Merz, unexpectedly.
'Well, we're very keen,' Mr Albanese said excitedly.
The PM also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba who said Australia 'set an example'.
The world was 'becoming more complex,' said Mr Ishiba referring to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
'Everything is connected in the world.
'And under such circumstances, I think Japan-Australia, co-ordination really continues to set an example of what a like-minded country's co-operation is and going forward together.
'I would like to make sure that a free and open Pacific will be realised.'