Prime Minister Anthony Albanese forced to settle for talks with Trump advisors after presidential snub at G7

Sky News AU

18-06-2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been forced to plead Australia's case on defence and trade to political advisers after he was snubbed by Donald Trump, but the fate of negotiations lie solely in the hands of the US President.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had to settle for meetings with members of the Trump administration after his long-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump was cancelled.
After President Trump abruptly left the summit to return to Washington amid escalating Middle East tensions, his scheduled meeting with Mr Albanese was cancelled.
The Albanese government was blindsided by the announcement, which was made via a social media post from Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
In response, Mr Albanese held two 20-minute meetings on the sidelines of the summit with senior Trump administration officials.
It comes after Trade Minister Don Farrell told Sky News the negotiations between Australia and the US lie solely in the hands of President Trump.
Mr Albanese instead spoke with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Australia's Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd also attended the discussions, after having organised the since-cancelled Trump meeting.
Mr Albanese said President Trump had not contacted him since the cancelled meeting, adding that he had spoken with 'key advisors to the president'.
'The President has been engaged, obviously, with the circumstances around Iran and Israel. It's perfectly understandable the decision that he made,' he told reporters.
Mr Albanese added that other meetings, including with Ukraine President Zelensky and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were also cancelled.
'We have agreed through our American friends that we'll reschedule the meeting (with President Trump),' Mr Albanese said.
'Well, we'll meet soon, and I'm sure that that will occur. You know, from time to time, meetings are rescheduled. That's what happens.' — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 17, 2025
The next opportunity for Mr Albanese to speak with the US President face-to-face will likely be in September 2025, according to sources.
In the meantime, the Albanese government has pushed the case for tariff exemptions and plans to unlock critical minerals and rare earths in partnership with the US.
'I had a meeting this morning with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent which was a good opportunity to put forward Australia's position on tariffs,' Mr Albanese said.
'We also discussed how Australia can support the United States on critical minerals. Australia has endorsed the G7 Critical Minerals Office Action Plan.
'This opens up the prospect of further inspections of the Australian critical minerals and rare earths industry.'
Mr Albanese's inability to meet directly with the US President has attracted criticism from the opposition and foreign policy experts.
The Australian Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan described it as a 'complete humiliation for Albanese' and a 'complete snub' on Tuesday.
He pointed out that President Trump held multiple meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7 Summit, while Mr Albanese got none.
Shadow competition minister Dave Sharma labelled the development an "abject failure of Australian diplomacy'.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley warned that the missed opportunity could impact Australia's ability to protect its interests regarding the AUKUS security pact and tariffs.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the Prime Minister, citing the 'perilous moment in the Middle East' as the reason for Trump's early departure and cancellation.
'Prime Minister Albanese has had three conversations with President Trump in recent months. We'll continue to engage in the usual way,' Mr Chalmers said.