Overview

• The White House and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed their first formal sit-down in Washington on October 20 after months of phone contacts.
• Albanese briefly met President Donald Trump at a UN reception in New York, sharing a selfie and noting it was good to chat.
• Talks are expected to cover the AUKUS submarine program now under a Pentagon review, U.S. trade tariffs including duties on steel and aluminium, and American expectations for higher Australian defence outlays.
• Policy contrasts sharpened in New York as Trump dismissed climate action and criticized recognition of Palestinian statehood, positions at odds with Australia’s new 2035 emissions target and its formal recognition of Palestine.
• Securing the meeting eases domestic pressure on Albanese, with officials and analysts saying face-to-face engagement is important to cement alliance ties and clarify U.S. support for AUKUS and its Indo-Pacific role.