Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is preparing for a trip to the United States that may conclude without a one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump. As Albanese heads to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Australian officials are downplaying the likelihood of such a meeting, which could raise concerns about the future of the US-Australia alliance.
While a formal meeting at the White House or a joint press conference appears improbable, there remains the possibility of a brief encounter. This would likely manifest as an informal “pull-aside” conversation during a reception hosted by Trump on the evening of September 26, 2023, local time. Should this informal interaction not occur, it would mark another setback for Albanese in his foreign policy efforts, particularly after challenges in finalizing security agreements during recent visits to Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Albanese has expressed a calm demeanor regarding the situation, noting that the two leaders could meet at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea later in October. Nevertheless, foreign affairs experts caution that the lack of a leaders’ meeting is concerning. They emphasize the importance of establishing a robust working relationship to prevent the US-Australia partnership from diminishing.
Former Australian ambassador to Washington, Arthur Sinodinos, stated, “It is important for the two leaders to meet as soon as possible: they are the ultimate decision makers.” He highlighted the need for clarity from Trump regarding the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pact, which is currently under review by the Pentagon.
Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute, underscored the significance of a meeting, stating, “Donald Trump was elected president ten months ago, and he and Mr. Albanese have never met each other. This is unprecedented.” He added that given the United States is Australia’s primary security partner, the absence of a meeting poses risks.
Tensions have escalated recently, particularly after Trump clashed with an ABC journalist who questioned him about his private business dealings. Trump’s comments suggested an impending meeting with Albanese, where he stated, “Your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I’m going to tell him about you. You set a very bad tone.”
The opportunity for a meeting has been complicated by Trump’s commitment to attend the funeral of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk on Sunday, September 24, 2023. When asked about a potential meeting, Albanese remarked, “We will meet when we meet,” emphasizing the various events on the agenda that might influence scheduling. In a separate radio interview, he noted, “We’ll see each other in New York. [Trump] is hosting a reception on Tuesday night of next week.”
Albanese’s hope to meet Trump is not without precedent; he was originally slated to meet Trump in June during the G7 summit in Canada, but plans fell through due to Trump’s early return to the US amid the Iran-Israel conflict.
Recent polling conducted by Resolve Political Monitor indicates that 52 percent of Australians consider it important for Albanese to meet Trump, despite many holding a negative view of the US President. Conversely, over a third of respondents believe such a meeting is not essential.
As Albanese navigates this complex diplomatic landscape, the emphasis remains on strengthening ties between the two nations, ensuring the US-Australia relationship remains a priority on the global stage.
