Last week Anthony Albanese spoke with Donald Trump highlighting Australiaʼs trade-friendly stance: the US already gets more than it gives in their trade relationship. This chat came after Trumpʼs new-fangled idea to put a 10% tax on stuff coming into US (and a super-high 60% on Chinese goods)
In a mid-week radio chat Albanese explained how he talked about trade with Trump – pointing out that US has got the better end of the deal. Back when Trump was boss before Australia didnt have to pay those metal-trade taxes he put on other countries
The defense side of things is getting pretty interesting too – Australiaʼs spending big-time on its military (about A$50 billion extra over ten years) and working close with America. Theyʼve got this whole submarine deal going‚ plus US marines hanging out up in Darwin‚ where theyʼre fixing up air bases for US planes
I really look forward to the opportunity of meeting Pete Hegseth and of working closely with him
Albanese is heading to some big meetings in South America soon; heʼs trying to keep things smooth between trading with China and being friends with America. Its kinda tricky since China buys loads of Australiaʼs stuff like iron ore and gas‚ while Americaʼs their main military buddy
The defense folks are keeping busy – theres this meet-up happening in Darwin this weekend with US and Japanese defense chiefs. Plus‚ Trump just picked Pete Hegseth (who used to talk on Fox News) to be his new defense boss