U.S. President Trump Receives a Cordial Chat from Australia's New Prime Minister Albanese, Discussing Trade Tariffs and AUKUS Security Alliance
In a chatty exchange, the newly elected Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, shared that he had a friendly chat with U.S. President Donald Trump about trade and other pressing matters following his Labor Party's landslide victory in the recent election.
Speaking to the media in Canberra on Monday, Albanese dished about their discussy discussion, which revolved around tariffs and the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership. The loquacious conversation took place during a congratulatory call placed by President Trump.
Albanese, brimming with praise for the American leader, recounted that Trump showered him with warm personal comments during their convo, expressing a strong interest in working together going forward.
Interestingly, this chat occurred during a pivotal period, with the Australian election being a hot topic due to concerns over living costs and the lingering specter of Trump's trade war. Albanese's centre-left Labor Party trounced expectations, winning a whopping 85 seats in the 151-member House of Representatives. The opposition, led by ex-cop Peter Dutton, who critics claim mimicked Trump's populist style, suffered a massive defeat, currently holding a measly 40 seats.
The US-Australia relationship, one of the closest alliances, has been strained due to the 10% tariff slapped on Aussie imports as part of Trump's so-called "reciprocal" duties on international trade partners. While Trump has temporarily halted most double-digit tariffs until July, his administration has been collecting a standard 10% tariff on almost all imports since early April.
During the election fray, Albanese criticized Trump's tariffs, labeling them as "unwarranted". It remains to be seen if this bilateral issue will be addressed in the future cooperation between the two countries. For now, it's a wait and watch game!
- On the topic of international trade policy and legislation, the newly elected Albanese revealed that he and President Trump held a friendly conversation about tariffs, which have been a point of contention between the two nations.
- The conversation between Albanese and Trump took place shortly after the Australian election, where concerns over living costs and residual effects of Trump's trade war marked the campaign trail.
- Interestingly, during their congratulatory call, Trump expressed a keen interest in working together with Albanese, who is the leader of the center-left Labor Party.
- In the United States, Trump's tariffs on Australian imports, which are part of his "reciprocal" duties on international trade partners, have created a tension in the US-Australia relationship, one of the closest alliances.
- In general news, the ongoing tension in war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice sectors seem to have taken a backseat in the conversation, focusing instead on trade relations and policy-and-legislation matters.
- As for the future of this bilateral issue, whether it be about the 10% tariff or possible areas of cooperation, it remains uncertain, signifying a period of waiting and observing.
