Australia's US ambassador Joe Hockey visited the White House to smooth over diplomatic tensions in the wake of Donald Trump's telephone spat with Malcolm Turnbull over a "dumb" refugee deal.
Mr Hockey, the former federal treasurer, had what US officials described as a "productive meeting" with senior Trump advisers Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus.
"They conveyed the president's deep admiration for the Australian people," a White House spokesman said.
Mr Trump reportedly told Prime Minister Turnbull in a phone call last weekend that the deal struck with the Obama administration to resettle refugees from Nauru and Manus Island was "the worst deal ever".
Mr Turnbull, who stood firm, repeated he had received a commitment from the president to stick to the deal, which will see Australia accepting refugees from Central America.
"It is very important that it goes ahead because it will enable us to secure resettlement options for people," he said in Sydney on Friday.
He later described the president as a "very big personality" and admitted their conversation was frank and forthright, after a hostile Mr Trump labelled it his worst call with a world leader so far.
Meanwhile, Mr Hockey has been receiving calls of support for the US-Australia alliance from across the Washingong political spectrum.
Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain described Australia as "one of America's oldest friends and staunchest allies".
"We are united by ties of family and friendship, mutual interests and common values, and shared sacrifice in wartime," he said.
Democratic congressman Eliot Engel, who met with Mr Hockey, expressed his "deep concern over the recent strain in the relationship between the United States and Australia and conveyed his hope and belief it would not make a lasting impact".
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said believes the relationship will survive the leaders' spat.
"The US-Australia relationship is big enough, old enough and ugly enough to cope with this snafu," Mr Rudd told CNN.
Australia's former ambassador to Washington Kim Beazley wasn't surprised Mr Trump was asking why the previous administration signed up to the deal, given his recent immigration and refugee directives.
"No wonder he's venting," he said.
Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong, who is in Washington for talks with senior officials, said Australia's alliance with the US was bigger than any individual.
Ties were deep and extended beyond a conversation between two leaders.
"It is disappointing if what is being reported has occurred but ultimately we know that we will continue to work with the Americans on a whole range of matters," she told AAP.
Labor leader Bill Shorten, who supports the refugee deal, said Mr Trump needed to show more respect to Australia and Mr Turnbull.
"I don't think you can run an American-Australian alliance by Twitter," he said.
