Anthony Albanese will step away from the spotlight before jetting out for crucial trade talks with Donald Trump in Washington.
The prime minister has lined up “a whole week off” before departing for the US capital next weekend, hoping to personally persuade President Trump to carve Australia out of his controversial tariff master plan.
Both Australia and New Zealand have been working recently to leverage critical minerals reserves against a dependent United States in the hopes of achieving more favourable trade deals.
Trade Minister Don Farrell had lengthy discussions with US trade representative Jamieson Greer about access to Australia’s vast stockpiles on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
Such minerals are in demand as they form key components for renewable technology and batteries as the world transitions to clean energy, as well as high-tech military equipment like fighter jets.
Mr Albanese’s mission has been hotly anticipated following a series of delays in securing an audience with Mr Trump.
However the prime minister insists his counterpart is ready to roll out the red carpet in the wake of America’s role in securing a Middle East ceasefire.
“I’ve had a very warm invitation to the White House,” he told the Nine Network on Saturday.
“I am very much looking forward to it.”
Mr Albanese said he was keen to resume the “face-to-face discussion” he began with Mr Trump last month, although this was at a reception for world leaders rather than one-on-one talks.
“We have an important defence and security relationship, economic relationship and partnership,” he said.
“There’s much that we can do together in the area of critical minerals and all of these issues and I’m very much looking forward to it but also looking forward to having a bit of a rest over the next week.”
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