Anthony Albanese to reject Trump's demand for Australia to increase defence spending
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will reject Donald Trump's demand for Australia to boost its defence spending during his first face-to-face meeting with the US President in Canada.
Mr Albanese confirmed the pair are scheduled for talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit this week.
The Prime Minister says he will highlight the support Australia provides to the United States under the AUKUS pact.
Mr Albanese claims his focus will be on tariffs imposed on Australia.
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Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts . As world leaders descend on Calgary, Canada, for the G7 summit, Israel's war with Iran will likely top the agenda. Donald Trump departed the U-S on Sunday - holding true to a message that's becoming familiar. "Well I hope there's gonna be a deal. Sometimes they have to fight it out, but we're gonna see what happens." The US President has travelled north to a country he's repeatedly said he wants to make part of the United States. His counterpart in the host nation, Canadian P-M Mark Carney, was helped to power by his defiant stance against US tariffs, and he's been looking to strengthen alliances in uncertain times. He welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese upon his arrival in Canada. "Welcome, and thank you for coming for the G7. Canada and Australia, of course, great partners that share the same values, share many of the same interests." Anthony Albanese says they discussed defence, critical minerals, and collaborating to combat bushfires, as well as conflict in the Middle East. "We did discuss Israel and Iran. And both of us share a view, wanting to see a de-escalation of conflict, wanting to prioritise and diplomacy. I have expressed before our concern about Iran gaining the capacity of nuclear weapons as something that is a threat to security in the region." It was one of many meetings scheduled for the coming days, as Mr Albanese makes the most of his chance to advance Australia's interest on the world stage. The G7 consists of major economies, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U-S, but features several guest nations this year. Anthony Albanese's biggest test will come on Tuesday - Canadian time - when he sits down with Donald Trump for their first face-to-face meeting. "I look forward to the discussions with President Trump, I deal with people constructively, respectfully and I advance Australia's national interest, and that is what I'll continue to do." Mr Albanese has had no shortage of advice about how to deal with the president. His advisors include former prime ministers with firsthand experience, who maintain the only successful approach is to stand up to the president's hardball negotiations. US tariffs have been a key issue leading into the talks. "Now our position when it comes to tariffs is very clear. We see tariffs as acts of economic self harm by the country imposing the tariffs, because what it does is lead to increased costs for the country that is making those decisions." Ahead of the G7 summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she is hoping to find a solution to U-S trade tensions before a pause on tariffs expires next month. "We are also working on lowering the trade barriers. This was the reason why we offered 'zero-for-zero', so zero tariffs for all industrial goods on both sides. This should be over time the goal. But we are amidst the negotiations right now." There are fears the AUKUS defence pact could be up for some re-negotiation as well, after it was placed under review by the Trump administration. Mr Albanese is under pressure to re-state Australia's case for the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, starting from 2032. "On AUKUS, it is very much in the interests of all three countries. What AUKUS offers the US is firstly the support that we're providing for their industrial capacity." Australia has already invested $800 million to support submarine building in the U-S, as production lags far behind key American targets. "And secondly, the increased capacity to have their subs in the water as well, because of the maintenance facilities that will take place at Henderson. In addition to that, there's all of the support that we give to the United States, and with our defence relationships, including fuel reserves in the Northern Territory; including the presence of US forces in in Darwin, as well." SBS News also asked Anthony Albanese whether he will raise the impact of Israel's conflict with Iran on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza when he speaks with Donald Trump. ANNA: "While these strikes are unfolding, there is no more aid getting into Gaza. So when you meet with the US President Donald trump will you be calling on him to apply pressure to the prime minister of Israel to allow aid through?" ALBANESE: "The discussion with President trump will be very much about Australia and the United States and our relations. We've got a few things to talk about."
