Australia’s chances of tariff exemptions remain uncertain as the prime minister returns from an overseas trip without having spoken to Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s much-anticipated plans to hold his first in-person meeting the US president were thrown into chaos because of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The two were expected to speak on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada during the summit’s final day to discuss trade, tariffs and defence.
But less than 24 hours before their meeting, Mr Trump revealed he had to leave early to deal with the situation between Iran and Israel.
The prime minister will fly into Sydney on Thursday without clear progress towards a trade resolution.
But Mr Albanese could get a second chance at Mr Trump within days.
The prime minister is considering going to The Hague at the end of June to attend a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, where the US president is expected to appear.
“We’ll meet soon and I’m sure that will occur,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Calgary on Tuesday local time (Wednesday AEST).
“From time to time, meetings are rescheduled – that’s what happens.”
The prime minister is also expected to advocate for Australia’s nuclear submarine deal with the US and UK at his meeting with Mr Trump.
Mr Albanese was not the only world leader lining up to speak with the leader of the free world at the G7.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talks scheduled with Mr Trump the day after he left.
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum was also set to meet Mr Trump face-to-face for the first time that day.
Ms Sheinbaum received a call from the US president soon after news broke of his departure, but the prime minister has not received a direct call from Mr Trump.
Instead, he met with the president’s senior economic team on the day he was supposed to speak with Mr Trump.
His discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer involved trade, tariffs and critical minerals – which Australia has considered using as a bargaining chip in US negotiations.
The prime minister said Mr Trump’s departure was “understandable” and insisted things were progressing.
Australia’s exports to the US continue to be hit with a baseline 10 per cent tariff and its steel and aluminium products incur a 50 per cent levy.
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