Overview
- During a White House session, President Donald Trump confronted Ambassador Kevin Rudd over past critical posts, prompting an apology that Albanese says the president accepted.
- Albanese credited Rudd with helping secure a critical minerals pact, with the two countries committing a combined $3 billion toward an $8.5 billion pipeline of Australian projects to expand processing capacity.
- The leaders reaffirmed the AUKUS partnership, while U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan and Albanese acknowledged unresolved "ambiguities" that were not detailed or announced.
- On Capitol Hill, Rudd received bipartisan praise from lawmakers including Michael McCaul, even as Australian Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called for his removal.
- Albanese said he asked Trump for relief from reciprocal tariffs and described the broader talks as positive, noting official gifts that included a model submarine and jewelry.