Foreign Minister to travel to the United States
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will travel to Washington, DC, this week to bolster Australia's relationship with the United States.
Senator Wong will take part in a one-on-one meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as part of a Quad alliance gathering.
However, according to the Financial Review, two senior US politicians who support the AUKUS agreement are suggesting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should travel to the White House for talks with President Trump.
They believe the meeting would be positive and would form the personal relationship needed to keep the defence agreement alive.
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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Federal politics: Albanese won't set defence spending targets despite pressure from Trump — as it happened
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will not set defence expenditure targets, but will rather focus on investing in the defence capability the country needs. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Penny Wong will head to Washington this week for talks with her US counterpart Marco Rubio, as well as other ministers of the Quad. Take a look back at the day's coverage.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Outcome not timing the main game for Trump talks: PM
A positive result from a meeting with Donald Trump is more important than how soon a one-on-one with the US president can be arranged, the prime minister says. Anthony Albanese says Australia will press the case for a total removal of US tariffs when he meets with Mr Trump. The pair were due to come face-to-face at the G7 summit in Canada earlier in June but that opportunity was lost at the eleventh hour when the US president left early due to the Middle East conflict. Mr Albanese has faced criticism for a lack of urgency in lining up the meeting,but he said the final result of the discussion mattered more than timing or location. "Where the meeting takes place is less important than what comes out of the meeting, frankly, and I know there is a laser-like focus on this," he told ABC TV on Monday. "I'd be prepared, of course, to meet with President Trump when a suitable time can be organised." An in-person meeting could take place at the next Quad summit, the annual conference involving leaders from Australia, the US, Japan and India. The possibility has also been floated of Mr Albanese stopping by the US in September during the next meeting of the UN General Assembly. Mr Albanese said he would continue to press the case for a removal of all tariffs on Australian exports to the US. "In supporting Australia's national interest, I'll continue to advocate for the best outcome possible," he said. "I look forward to having a meeting and continuing the constructive dialogue that I have had with President Trump up to now." Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan said it was "frankly embarrassing" the prime minister was yet to secure a meeting with Mr Trump. "Resolving trade tensions - particularly tariffs affecting Australian agricultural and manufactured exports - must be a top priority," he said. Tariffs of 10 per cent on all Australian exports, as well as 50 per cent for aluminium and steel products, are due to come into effect on July 9. The UK was able to strike a deal to ensure steel and aluminium exported to the US are subject to 25 per cent levies but the federal government has called for tariffs on Australian goods to be removed altogether. Penny Wong has flown out for Washington DC for a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, which will include talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The one-on-one with Mr Rubio will be a key opportunity to argue for tariff removal to members of the Trump administration. The Quad summit coincides with calls from the US for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Australia is on track to lift its defence budget to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the federal government holding firm on its spending commitments. The prime minister said he would make the case to the US that Australia was bolstering its defence budget. "We'll invest in whatever capability Australia needs to defend ourselves, and that is the way that you make sure that you maximise the defence of this country," he said. "We've got significant upgrades in our defence capacity coming on board." A positive result from a meeting with Donald Trump is more important than how soon a one-on-one with the US president can be arranged, the prime minister says. Anthony Albanese says Australia will press the case for a total removal of US tariffs when he meets with Mr Trump. The pair were due to come face-to-face at the G7 summit in Canada earlier in June but that opportunity was lost at the eleventh hour when the US president left early due to the Middle East conflict. Mr Albanese has faced criticism for a lack of urgency in lining up the meeting,but he said the final result of the discussion mattered more than timing or location. "Where the meeting takes place is less important than what comes out of the meeting, frankly, and I know there is a laser-like focus on this," he told ABC TV on Monday. "I'd be prepared, of course, to meet with President Trump when a suitable time can be organised." An in-person meeting could take place at the next Quad summit, the annual conference involving leaders from Australia, the US, Japan and India. The possibility has also been floated of Mr Albanese stopping by the US in September during the next meeting of the UN General Assembly. Mr Albanese said he would continue to press the case for a removal of all tariffs on Australian exports to the US. "In supporting Australia's national interest, I'll continue to advocate for the best outcome possible," he said. "I look forward to having a meeting and continuing the constructive dialogue that I have had with President Trump up to now." Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan said it was "frankly embarrassing" the prime minister was yet to secure a meeting with Mr Trump. "Resolving trade tensions - particularly tariffs affecting Australian agricultural and manufactured exports - must be a top priority," he said. Tariffs of 10 per cent on all Australian exports, as well as 50 per cent for aluminium and steel products, are due to come into effect on July 9. The UK was able to strike a deal to ensure steel and aluminium exported to the US are subject to 25 per cent levies but the federal government has called for tariffs on Australian goods to be removed altogether. Penny Wong has flown out for Washington DC for a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, which will include talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The one-on-one with Mr Rubio will be a key opportunity to argue for tariff removal to members of the Trump administration. The Quad summit coincides with calls from the US for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Australia is on track to lift its defence budget to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the federal government holding firm on its spending commitments. The prime minister said he would make the case to the US that Australia was bolstering its defence budget. "We'll invest in whatever capability Australia needs to defend ourselves, and that is the way that you make sure that you maximise the defence of this country," he said. "We've got significant upgrades in our defence capacity coming on board." A positive result from a meeting with Donald Trump is more important than how soon a one-on-one with the US president can be arranged, the prime minister says. Anthony Albanese says Australia will press the case for a total removal of US tariffs when he meets with Mr Trump. The pair were due to come face-to-face at the G7 summit in Canada earlier in June but that opportunity was lost at the eleventh hour when the US president left early due to the Middle East conflict. Mr Albanese has faced criticism for a lack of urgency in lining up the meeting,but he said the final result of the discussion mattered more than timing or location. "Where the meeting takes place is less important than what comes out of the meeting, frankly, and I know there is a laser-like focus on this," he told ABC TV on Monday. "I'd be prepared, of course, to meet with President Trump when a suitable time can be organised." An in-person meeting could take place at the next Quad summit, the annual conference involving leaders from Australia, the US, Japan and India. The possibility has also been floated of Mr Albanese stopping by the US in September during the next meeting of the UN General Assembly. Mr Albanese said he would continue to press the case for a removal of all tariffs on Australian exports to the US. "In supporting Australia's national interest, I'll continue to advocate for the best outcome possible," he said. "I look forward to having a meeting and continuing the constructive dialogue that I have had with President Trump up to now." Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan said it was "frankly embarrassing" the prime minister was yet to secure a meeting with Mr Trump. "Resolving trade tensions - particularly tariffs affecting Australian agricultural and manufactured exports - must be a top priority," he said. Tariffs of 10 per cent on all Australian exports, as well as 50 per cent for aluminium and steel products, are due to come into effect on July 9. The UK was able to strike a deal to ensure steel and aluminium exported to the US are subject to 25 per cent levies but the federal government has called for tariffs on Australian goods to be removed altogether. Penny Wong has flown out for Washington DC for a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, which will include talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The one-on-one with Mr Rubio will be a key opportunity to argue for tariff removal to members of the Trump administration. The Quad summit coincides with calls from the US for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Australia is on track to lift its defence budget to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the federal government holding firm on its spending commitments. The prime minister said he would make the case to the US that Australia was bolstering its defence budget. "We'll invest in whatever capability Australia needs to defend ourselves, and that is the way that you make sure that you maximise the defence of this country," he said. "We've got significant upgrades in our defence capacity coming on board." A positive result from a meeting with Donald Trump is more important than how soon a one-on-one with the US president can be arranged, the prime minister says. Anthony Albanese says Australia will press the case for a total removal of US tariffs when he meets with Mr Trump. The pair were due to come face-to-face at the G7 summit in Canada earlier in June but that opportunity was lost at the eleventh hour when the US president left early due to the Middle East conflict. Mr Albanese has faced criticism for a lack of urgency in lining up the meeting,but he said the final result of the discussion mattered more than timing or location. "Where the meeting takes place is less important than what comes out of the meeting, frankly, and I know there is a laser-like focus on this," he told ABC TV on Monday. "I'd be prepared, of course, to meet with President Trump when a suitable time can be organised." An in-person meeting could take place at the next Quad summit, the annual conference involving leaders from Australia, the US, Japan and India. The possibility has also been floated of Mr Albanese stopping by the US in September during the next meeting of the UN General Assembly. Mr Albanese said he would continue to press the case for a removal of all tariffs on Australian exports to the US. "In supporting Australia's national interest, I'll continue to advocate for the best outcome possible," he said. "I look forward to having a meeting and continuing the constructive dialogue that I have had with President Trump up to now." Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan said it was "frankly embarrassing" the prime minister was yet to secure a meeting with Mr Trump. "Resolving trade tensions - particularly tariffs affecting Australian agricultural and manufactured exports - must be a top priority," he said. Tariffs of 10 per cent on all Australian exports, as well as 50 per cent for aluminium and steel products, are due to come into effect on July 9. The UK was able to strike a deal to ensure steel and aluminium exported to the US are subject to 25 per cent levies but the federal government has called for tariffs on Australian goods to be removed altogether. Penny Wong has flown out for Washington DC for a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, which will include talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The one-on-one with Mr Rubio will be a key opportunity to argue for tariff removal to members of the Trump administration. The Quad summit coincides with calls from the US for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Australia is on track to lift its defence budget to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34, with the federal government holding firm on its spending commitments. The prime minister said he would make the case to the US that Australia was bolstering its defence budget. "We'll invest in whatever capability Australia needs to defend ourselves, and that is the way that you make sure that you maximise the defence of this country," he said. "We've got significant upgrades in our defence capacity coming on board."
SBS Australia
2 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Foreign Minister to push for full tariffs exemption on US trip
In this bulletin; Albanese says the government will continue to push for a full exemption from US tariffs; Two firefighters killed in a sniper attack in the US state of Idaho; And in Rugby, two star players announced for Maroons series decider against New South Wales. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will continue to push for a full exemption from US tariffs for Australia, as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong heads to the US for talks. Senator Wong flies to Washington today for a meeting of Quad foreign ministers, which includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with her counterparts from India and Japan. The UK was able to strike a deal to ensure steel and aluminium exported to the US are subject to 25 per cent levies, rather than the 50 per cent tariff rate applied to the same goods from other US trading partners, including Australia. Mr Albanese says Senator Wong will make the case for the US to drop its tariffs on Australian exports entirely. "It shouldn't be 10 (per cent), it should be zero. That is what a reciprocal tariff will be. We have a US free trade agreement of course, and we've put forward our arguments very clearly. And we will continue to do so." US President Donald Trump says buyers have been found for social media platform TikTok, but says he won't reveal who they are for another few weeks. TikTok is owned by China-based company ByteDance and a federal law requiring that it be sold or banned was due to take effect the day before Mr Trump's inauguration. After extending the deadline for sale, Mr Trump told reporters he has a 'soft spot' for TikTok and has now, for a third time, extended the deadline again. He says while buyers are ready, he may need approval from China first. 'We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way. I think I'll need probably China approval. And I think President Xi will probably do it. (Who's buying it?) I'll tell you in about two weeks. (A big technology company?) Very, very wealthy people. It's a group of very wealthy people.' In May, Mr Trump said a group of purchasers was ready to pay ByteDance "a lot of money" for TikTok's US operations. Police have found the body of a man believed responsible for shooting dead two firefighters in the US state of Idaho. Kootenai County Sheriff Richard Norris says police believe the man was the only person involved in ambushing the firefighters with a rifle as they responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain, an area that is popular with hikers near the city of Coeur d'Alene. Governor Brad Little says multiple firefighters were attacked with a barrage of gunfire over several hours in what he called a "heinous" assault, prompting a shelter-in-place order for the area. Sheriff Norris says the full circumstances of the incident remain unclear. "Do not come to the area. Stay away from the area. This is going to be - if these individuals are not neutralised quickly, this is going to likely be a multi-day operation." US authorities have lifted the lockdown at the scene of the attack, after the body of a man suspected to be the shooter was found with a firearm nearby. The New South Wales State Emergency Service is warning east coast residents to prepare for damaging winds and heavy rain, as a rapidly developing pressure system builds off the coast. Almost 400 State Emergency Service volunteers along with high-clearance vehicles and aerial support have been pre-positioned along the coast, which is forecast to begin impacting parts of coastal areas of New South Whales between Coffs Harbour in the north and Bega in the south this evening. It will be an especially anxious wait for residents on the NSW mid-north coast, who are still recovering from record floods in May that claimed the lives of three people and damaged hundreds of properties. NSW SES deputy commissioner Debbie Platz says it's important to be ready for anything. "This weather will include damaging surf coastal erosion, significant moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms along with damaging winds. As I said, this is a very dynamic and fast moving system. Very different to the systems that we have seen in recent times." Queensland coach Billy Slater has named Gehamat Shibasaki and Josh Papali'i as Maroons players for the series decider against New South Wales, to be played next Wednesday night in Sydney. It'll be Brisbane Broncos journeyman Shibasaki's Origin debut, and Papalii's first State of Origin match since 2022. Canberra Raiders star Papali'i retired from State of Origin before the 2023 season, after 23 matches and six series wins. Slater says bringing the veteran player back has been in the back of his mind for years. "He doesn't say a lot big papa, but his actions do the talking for him. And yeah, you're right. I've played alongside the big fella. I've coached the big fella, and I'm looking forward to seeing him again. He puts a smile on your face every time you talk to him on the phone."
