Key Points
- Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese signed a significant rare earth minerals deal.
- The pair's meeting appeared to be very warm, referring to each other as "friends".
- There was an awkward moment with Australia's US ambassador Kevin Rudd.
United States President Donald Trump has heaped praise on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during what appeared to be a very warm first visit to the White House, with successes notched on both sides.
The highly anticipated bilateral meeting took ten months to secure, but Albanese has emerged with a new economic deal and strengthened ties to Australia's closest ally.
The two leaders met in the White House in the early hours of Tuesday morning to discuss trade, AUKUS, critical minerals and a potential visit to Australia.
Surprisingly, it was a former prime minister who was involved in the meeting's tensest moment.
Here are five key takeaways:
Significant rare earths deal secured
The meeting was relocated from the White House's Oval Office to the cabinet room so that Trump and Albanese could sign a rare earths deal.
The US and Australia will invest US$3 billion ($4.6 billion) in the first six months alone, with the multi-billion dollar deal designed to combat China's stronghold on the sector.
"In a year from now we'll have so much [critical minerals] ... you won't know what to do with them," Trump said.
Albanese explained it would create an US$8.5 billion ($13 billion) pipeline of projects, with US investment in Australia helping with the processing of critical minerals needed for manufacturing.
AUKUS agreement to go ahead
Trump reaffirmed the stability of the AUKUS agreement between Australia, the US and the United Kingdom which would give Australia nuclear submarines.
The deal, announced in 2021 under the Biden administration, has been under review by the US.
US navy secretary John Phelan elaborated on the review by the US defence department, stating it was working to "make it better" and "clarify some of the ambiguity that was in the prior agreement", which would be a "win-win for everyone".
But Trump said the plan was "moving along rapidly" and there were only "minor details" to be worked out, assuring Australia was "getting" the submarines.
Trump doesn't budge on Australian tariffs
Trump was asked whether he'd consider removing tariffs from his friend, Australia.
He defended the tariffs Australian exports are subject to — including a baseline 10 per cent rate and 50 per cent on steel and aluminium.
"Australia pays very low tariffs, very, very low tariffs. In fact, Australia pays among the lowest tariffs," Trump said.
Tense moment with US ambassador Kevin Rudd
The main moment of tension came as a journalist asked Trump's thoughts on disparaging comments made by Australia's ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd.
Rudd called Trump the "most destructive president in history" in a 2020 social media post, one of several tweets deleted after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
Trump turned to ask Albanese what had been said, before changing his mind, saying: "Don't tell me."
Rudd was in the room at the time, and after trying to explain, was quickly cut off by Trump, who said: "I don't like you either, I don't, and probably never will." Albanese laughed during the exchange.
After the meeting concluded, Rudd was overheard apologising to Trump off-camera, with the US president reportedly replying "all is forgiven".
Trump praises PM as 'my friend'
Trump gushed over his "friend" Albanese, during a very friendly first bilateral meeting between the pair, stating he was doing a "fantastic job" as prime minister.
"We've been long-term, longtime allies, and I would say there's never been anybody better," Trump said.
Asked to compare Albanese to previous prime ministers Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull, who were more politically aligned, Trump said it "wouldn't be fair".
"I don't want to compare one with the other, but they really have a great prime minister," Trump said.
Albanese joked he would use Trump's remarks in campaign ads at the next federal election in 2028.
The feeling was mutual, with Albanese praising Trump's work on a Middle East ceasefire as "an extraordinary achievement".
The US president said he had been extended an invite to visit Australia, which he was "considering".
