Overview

• Anthony Albanese departs for Washington for his first formal bilateral with President Donald Trump, set for Tuesday Australian time at the White House.
• The US Department of Defense is reviewing the multi‑hundred‑billion‑dollar AUKUS submarine pact, putting Australia’s planned nuclear‑powered fleet under fresh scrutiny.
• Canberra plans to seek relief from US trade duties, including a 10% baseline tariff on most goods and 50% imposts on steel and aluminium, with some sectors facing even higher rates.
• Australian officials are pushing a critical‑minerals cooperation proposal, with Ministers Madeleine King and Tim Ayres joining parts of the trip to advance potential industrial and trade ties.
• Experts caution a tariff carve‑out for Australia is unlikely, as domestic pressure at home and the prospect of an unpredictable Oval Office exchange raise the political stakes for the visit.