Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms meeting with Trump amid tensions over AUKUS and Middle East conflict
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he will meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada.
The meeting, expected to be held on Tuesday, marks the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders.
Speaking on Sunday, Mr Albanese told Sky News he expected the meeting to be 'constructive'.
It comes despite growing pressure from Washington over Australia's defence spending and deepening unrest in the Middle East.
'I do expect to meet the President on the sidelines of the G7 meeting Tuesday,' Mr Albanese said on Sunday.
'I expect that we will be able to have a constructive engagement as well, and I look forward to building on the constructive phone conversations that we've had.'
The meeting comes as the United States formally reviews the $350 billion AUKUS pact, amid frustrations over Australia's reluctance to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
Mr Albanese said he would raise both tariffs and AUKUS with the US President.
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