Australia US relationship : Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has downplayed concerns that Donald Trump deliberately avoided Australia at the G7 Summit in Canada.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been scheduled to meet with the US president today to discuss the AUKUS submarine agreement and trade tariffs.
However, the meeting was cancelled after the president returned to the White House to address the growing conflict in the Middle East.
Marles Dismisses Talk of Trump Snub at G7, Cites Strong Australia-US Relations
The rapport is strong, and there have been numerous meetings between Australia and the United States across various levels,” Marles said. “I’ve met with my counterpart several times, and our officials are in constant communication, so the relationship is on solid footing.
Marles noted that several meetings in Canada were cancelled due to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, adding that the perceived “snub” was simply a matter of President Trump needing to address more urgent priorities.
Cancelled Meeting Due to Middle East Crisis, Not a Diplomatic Rift, Says Acting PM
We don’t know the exact date, but I’m confident a meeting between our two leaders will happen in the near future,” he said.
“It wasn’t only our prime minister’s meeting that was called off—it’s clear the president’s focus is understandably on developments of this magnitude.”
“He’s repeatedly reaffirmed his support for the Australia-US relationship, so I don’t believe there’s anything more to it than that.”
Watch the full conversation with Marles in the video above.
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