Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to travel to Washington DC on Sunday for his first meeting with US President Donald Trump since the latter's inauguration. The visit, originally scheduled for the G7 summit in Canada but cancelled four months ago, comes nine months after Trump took office.
The meeting is expected to focus heavily on the Aukus defence pact, with Australia seeking reassurances from the US over the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US. Trade and tariffs are also high on Albanese's agenda, as the Labor government looks to secure commitments from the Trump administration.
The short trip carries significant weight, with Australian officials keen to address uncertainties surrounding US trade policies and the future of the Aukus deal. The alliance, aimed at bolstering Indo-Pacific security, has been a cornerstone of Australia's defence strategy.
Albanese's discussions with Trump will cover critical issues including the implementation of the Aukus agreement, which involves the provision of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. The prime minister is also expected to press for clarity on US tariff policies that could impact Australian exports.
