
BREAKING NEWS How Donald Trump has ghosted Anthony Albanese AGAIN - just a day after the President cancelled meeting
Anthony Albanese has admitted that Donald Trump has failed to call him after the US President cancelled their meeting to deal with the Iran-Israel crisis.
The Prime Minister's plan to meet Trump on the last day of the G7 Leaders summit in Canada 's Alberta province was scotched when the US Commander-in-Chief left the event early due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.
Albanese was asked if Trump had rang him since the cancellation - a gesture he has afforded other world leaders - at a press conference on Wednesday morning.
'No, he hasn't. But I spoke with key advisors to the President,' Albanese responded.
'The President has been engaged... with the circumstances around Iran and Israel. It's perfectly understandable the decision that he made.
'That meant that the meetings that were scheduled - not just with myself, but with India, Ukraine, including President Zelensky, Mexico and other countries, didn't go ahead today.
'But we're all mature about that. We understand the circumstances.'
However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had a 'very good' phone call with Trump after their meeting was also cancelled.
'We agreed to work together to quickly reach an agreement on various issues of concern to us today,' Sheinbaum added in a statement on X.
Albanese was asked about this discrepancy in treatment but he brushed it off.
'I'm not driven by issues like that,' he responded.
'I understand that there's important things happening...I'm mature about these things.'
Albanese insisted that he would meet 'soon', leaving the door open to a possible meeting at the NATO summit next week.
'I'm considering discussions with a range of people over the last couple of days obviously including, I met with the NATO secretary general yesterday, he's well known to me,' Albanese said.
He had said on Tuesday that Defence Minister Richard Marles would attend the summit in The Hague.
As a consolation, Albanese was handed two 20-minute consolation meetings with senior US officials in Kananaskis on Tuesday local time.
The PM and Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Direction of National Economic Council Kevin Hassett and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
'I spoke with President Trump's senior economic team today at the G7 Summit about how we can strengthen our partnership,' Albanese said in a statement.
'Our free-flowing trade and investment has supported American and Australian workers, businesses, and investors - making both our countries more prosperous.'
They discussed trade, tariffs, and Australia's critical minerals and rare earth minerals.
But they reportedly did not discuss concerns about the AUKUS deal with the US and UK, which Trump has placed under a 30-day review.
However, Albanese did discuss the submarine deal with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with both leaders vowing to take their commitment to the security pact to 'another level'.
'We've both taken it on ourselves to take it to another level when it comes to defence and security, to our work on AUKUS, but also on issues like energy and the global issues that matter,' Starmer said, according to The Australian.
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Reuters
5 minutes ago
- Reuters
Japan's Ishiba departs G7 with US trade deal and political future in doubt
KANANASKIS, Canada, June 18 (Reuters) - Japanese premier Shigeru Ishiba's bid to get U.S. President Donald Trump to relax tariffs imperiling his country's economy and his political future fell flat this week, underlining the gulf between the allies as more levies are set to kick in. Ishiba traveled to the G7 summit in Canada hoping a direct appeal might get talks back on track after Japanese negotiators struggled to secure respite on a 25% tariff imposed on imported cars, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter. While the sun beamed down as Ishiba and Trump reclined in lounge chairs in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Monday's brief encounter did little to alter the grim forecast for Japanese industry girding for broader 24% levies due on July 9. The lack of progress could knock confidence in Ishiba's diplomacy just as he prepares to contest a dicey upper house election next month that some political analysts say could result in his ouster. "Despite our persistent efforts to find common ground through serious discussions, yesterday's meeting with President Trump confirmed that we still have discrepancies in our understanding," Ishiba told reporters on Tuesday before his departure from Canada. Trump earlier told reporters aboard Air Force One that "there was a chance of a deal" but appeared in little mood to cede ground. "Ultimately you have to understand we're just going to send a letter saying this is what you're going to pay otherwise you don't have to do business with us," he said. The most pressing issue for Japan has been the impact of Trump's tariffs on its auto sector, which employs nearly one in 10 of the country's workers and accounts for a fifth of exports. Japan's overall exports fell in May for the first time in eight months, piling pressure on its fragile economy, the world's fourth largest. Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), opens new tab, Japan's leading car company, has already flagged that tariffs have likely sliced off 180 billion yen ($1.2 billion) from its profit in April and May alone. Honda (7267.T), opens new tab has said it expects a 650 billion yen ($4.5 billion) hit to its earnings this year from tariffs in the U.S. and elsewhere, while Mazda Motor (7261.T), opens new tab declined to issue a full-year profit forecast, citing uncertainty due to tariffs. Publicly, Ishiba's government has said it aims to win total exemption from Trump's auto tariffs, but behind the scenes its negotiators had been trying to convince Washington to knock them down to around 10%, the sources said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Trump's trade deal with Britain, where he agreed to allow a quota of cars to be subject to a lower 10% levy has provided somewhat of a template, although Japan is a far larger exporter of cars to the United States. In exchange for relief on the autos sector, Tokyo had pledged to step up purchases of U.S. gas and other items to rebalance a trade deficit that has long irked Trump. But just days before Ishiba was due to arrive in Kananaskis, Canada for the G7 summit, it became clear to Japan's negotiators that Washington was unwilling to budge, said one of the sources. Ishiba likely miscalculated by raising expectation of an agreement with Trump, said Kenji Minemura, a senior researcher at the Canon Institute for Global Studies. He will now have put a trade deal aside and focus on convincing Trump to extend the pause on the broader reciprocal levies, a senior lawmaker close to the premier said. Otherwise, Ishiba faces the prospect of contesting elections next month with the full force of Trump's tariffs in effect. The combined tariffs could shave nearly 1% off Japan's gross domestic product, Mizuho Research & Technologies has estimated. "The fact that nothing was agreed at the summit could raise doubts about the diplomatic skills of the Ishiba administration," said Hiroshi Shiratori, professor of contemporary political analysis at Hosei University. His ruling coalition may struggle to hold on to its majority in the upper house vote, a repeat of the result in the more powerful lower house election in October, which could potentially trigger his ouster, political analysts say. Even if the LDP limps on in minority rule, there is around a 70% chance the party would replace its leader, said Michael Cucek, a political science professor at Temple University in Tokyo. "If they do have a significant loss then Ishiba has to go. You can't lose two elections in a row," he said. Ishiba may get another chance to make progress with Trump later this month with the two leaders due to attend the two-day NATO summit in the Hague from June 24. ($1 = 145.2500 yen)

South Wales Argus
17 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Trump says Iran's leader is ‘easy target' as Starmer calls for de-escalation
The US president abruptly left Sir Keir and allies at a major global summit amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The Prime Minister said 'nothing' he had heard from the US president suggested Washington was poised to get involved as western leaders continue to press for de-escalation between the two long-time foes. But within hours, Mr Trump said his patience was wearing thin with Iran and suggested Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an 'easy target' who the US could 'take out' if it chose. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. 'He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. 'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.' Without further explanation he also wrote 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!' on the platform. And he suggested the US had 'complete and total control of the skies over Iran'. Mr Trump left the G7 conference in Canada a day early to deal with what he called 'big stuff' and urged Iranian citizens to evacuate from Tehran, which triggered speculation that American forces might join Israeli strikes. The Prime Minister is holding talks on the conflict with fellow leaders of the G7 in Canada (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Asked whether the US could get involved as the conflict threatens to spiral into all-out war, Sir Keir told reporters with him at the conference in Kananaskis: 'There is nothing the president said that suggests he's about to get involved in this conflict. On the contrary, the G7 statement was about de-escalation.' In a statement on Monday before Mr Trump's departure, leaders had reiterated their 'commitment to peace and stability' but stopped short of calling for a truce between Israel and Iran. The Prime Minister said the wording 'faithfully reflects' the discussions of allies around the table. 'I don't think anything that the president said either here or elsewhere suggests that,' he said when pressed on the prospect of imminent US involvement. 'I think that the statement really speaks for itself in terms of the shared position of everybody who was here at the G7.' The Prime Minister was asked whether Britain would potentially support the US if it took action to limit Iran's nuclear programme, which leaders have condemned. US President Donald Trump left the G7 conference in Canada a day early for 'big stuff' (Suzanne Plunkett/PA) 'On nuclear, Iran's nuclear programme, I've been very clear. We are deeply concerned about the programme. I certainly do not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon,' he said. 'But the thrust of the statement is in accordance with what I was saying on the way out here, which is to de-escalate the situation, and to de-escalate it across the region rather than to escalate it.' In Westminster, not long after Mr Trump's Truth Social posts, Defence Secretary John Healey suggested the US president was 'leading the calls' for a diplomatic solution to the Iran-Israel conflict. 'I would say that you have seen the UK and the US, and other countries all calling for de-escalation, all calling for renewed diplomacy and you hear President Trump leading the charge and leading the calls for Iran to do a deal,' Mr Healey said at the Royal United Services Institute's Land Warfare conference. Hours after signing the Middle East agreement, Mr Trump has suggested that he was not interested in a truce while also attacking French President Emmanuel Macron, who had told French media that the US leader was leaving early to negotiate a ceasefire. Asked whether he was disappointed in the apparent US move to act unilaterally in relation to the conflict amid concerns the G7 could be sidelined, Sir Keir played down divisions. He told reporters: 'I think what (the president) said was he wanted to go beyond a ceasefire effectively and end the conflict. 'And I think he's right about that. I mean, a ceasefire is always a means to an end.' A joint communique from the summit was not expected as leaders struggled to find unity on issues like Ukraine, with Mr Trump indicating his reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia. Instead, host prime minister Mark Carney of Canada issued a 'chair's summary' insisting the group 'continues to demonstrate its value as a platform for advanced economies to… address issues of peace and security'. Mr Carney also said Ottawa would hit Russia with further sanctions, as the UK did on Tuesday, as well as providing 2 billion Canadian dollars in aid to Kyiv. As well as taking part in plenary sessions with the wider group , the Prime Minister also held face-to-face meetings with the leaders of Ukraine, Australia and South Korea on the fringes of the summit. Sir Keir and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to convene the next meeting over the so-called 'coalition of the willing', plans led by Britain and France to send peacekeeping troops to help protect Kyiv, in the coming weeks. Elsewhere, he and newly elected South Korean president Lee Jae-myung agreed to complete an upgrade to the free trade agreement between London and Seoul. 'Both leaders agreed to aim to complete the upgrade to the existing Free Trade Agreement between the two countries as soon as possible,' Number 10 said.


The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
G7 leaders are paralysed by their fear of upsetting Donald Trump
There is no founding charter or admissions process to the self-selecting group of 'leading' economic powers that currently numbers seven. It was the G8 from 1997 to March 2014. Then Russia annexed Crimea and had its membership suspended, establishing the rule that participating nations should not seize their neighbours' land. The White House used to condemn that sort of thing on the grounds that 'it violates the principles upon which the international system is built'. These days, not so much. On Sunday, shortly after arriving for a G7 meeting in the Canadian resort of Kananaskis, Donald Trump told his host, the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, that Vladimir Putin's expulsion from the club had been a 'big mistake'. Within 24 hours Trump was back in Washington. There is precedent for the early departure. In June 2018, during his first term, Trump bailed on a G7 summit to meet North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jong-un. This time he cited the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. That crisis is serious enough to justify the president clearing his diary of extraneous commitments. But it is revealing that dialogue with the US's closest allies is a disposable engagement. Arrogant unilateralism is an old feature of US foreign policy, especially in the Middle East. It is the prerogative of a superpower to disregard input from its strategic dependents. But Trump's G7 snub is not just a crass exaggeration of the usual American style. Sympathy with dictators and discomfort in the company of democrats express Trump's governing ethos. 'America First' is a doctrine that cannot conceive of mutual obligation between nations. There can be no G7, only the G1 and clients. Leaders who operate in deference to law and independent institutions are weak and contemptible. Strongmen who recognise no legitimate brake on their actions, who have folded the national interest into a personality cult, are admirable. To say that Trump indulges Putin misconstrues the balance of power. The US is vastly stronger than Russia, but its presidency, bound by fussy checks and balances, lacks the despotic agency of the Kremlin. Trump is envious. He claims simply to want deals with dictators, but he seems also to crave validation from them. By contrast, he thinks it is humiliating for the US commander-in-chief to be seated at a round table as the peer of a German chancellor or the prime minister of Canada – barely a proper country. The idea of coordinating foreign and trade policy on the basis of shared respect for political pluralism and the rule of law is an idea Trump finds absurd, if he even understands it. His agenda is dissolution of the west. The US's former allies need to recognise the magnitude of that ambition. Even when it is acknowledged, the scale of the challenge poses paralysing dilemmas. Layers of economic and military dependency are not easily peeled back. That is true for all of Europe, but especially Britain, where servicing the 'special' transatlantic relationship has been the axiomatic priority for decades. The road to a different strategic configuration, closer to allies on our own continent, is made rockier by Brexit. British audiences watching Trump defile the US constitution might wish Keir Starmer would give voice to their dismay. But there will be no 'Love Actually moment' – the term used derisively by diplomats for a fantasy re-enactment of Hugh Grant's cinematic rebuke to a swaggering, lecherous bully from the White House. Seasoned Trump handlers warn that disagreeing with the vindictive, thin-skinned president is best done behind closed doors. The art is not to challenge his view, but dress up dissent as a smarter way to satisfy his interests. Contradicting him in public is an act of self-injuring futility. Confrontation is not Starmer's style and his method is not fruitless. Trump found time on his curtailed trip to Canada to sign the executive order implementing a milder regime of punitive tariffs on Britain than is faced by most other countries. 'I like them,' Trump said in explanation of relative leniency for British exporters. (The compliment was confounded by his mistakenly describing it as deal with the EU.) Being liked by Trump is a transient condition. His deals are perishable. The ones signed with Canada and China in his first term were discarded. There are short-term commercial gains to be made by playing along with this capricious game, but the cost is accepting that the old rules no longer apply. That is bad for free trade and cataclysmic for democracy and international law. Over time, reluctance to say aloud that Trump is an authoritarian menace to the US's constitutional republic becomes complicity in the assault. The justification for silence is realpolitik – the argument that foreign policy should be moulded to the world as it is, not brandished as a demand that it be something else. But Trump inhabits a world fashioned around his own narcissistic delusions, populated by corrupt sycophants and far-right ideologues. Realpolitik in Trumpland is not an accommodation with reality but its wilful negation. It means normalising a project to hollow out US democracy, fill the shell with tyranny and call it freedom. Solidarity with Americans who are resisting that process is one reason for leaders in other countries to talk about it more candidly. Another is to anticipate and contain the risk of contagion. The Maga movement is indigenous to US politics, and not all of its culture-war obsessions resonate across the Atlantic. But it is also an ideological mothership supporting a flotilla of extreme nationalist parties, campaigns and digital influencers in the EU and the UK. Nigel Farage sails in that slipstream. The Conservatives drift aimlessly alongside. Trump himself is deeply unpopular in Britain, ranked unfavourably even by Reform UK supporters. Hence Farage is not as quick as he once was to boast of chumminess with the Mar-a-Lago crew. He also bristles when reminded that he once spoke of admiration for Putin. It is one of few lines of questioning that unsettles the mask of amiable composure. In the coming years, Farage has a balancing act to perform, fellow-travelling with a global consortium of far-right provocateurs and Kremlin apologists, while cultivating the aura of mainstream respectability required of a potential prime minister. He is well practised at the trick. It might be harder if the dark nature of his politics, the reliance on division, the cynical stirring of conflict, could be exposed by association with Trump; the British franchise of a toxic brand. That argument is harder to make as long as the reality of what is happening in the US is smothered in a gloss of realpolitik. Fear of provoking the tyrant keeps democratic leaders from telling the unvarnished truth about his regime. It is a risk. But a more insidious danger grows in silence, and there is no method for countering tyranny that leaves the truth unspoken. Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist One year of Labour, with Pippa Crerar, Rafael Behr and more On 9 July, join Pippa Crerar, Rafael Behr, Frances O'Grady and Salma Shah as they look back at one year of the Labour government and plans for the next four years