Latest news with #Australia–ChinaCEORoundtable
Sky News AU
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese' sharp response to reporter after he's grilled on revelations of Rudd-Trump meeting
Anthony Albanese has snapped at a reporter after he was pressed several times on the details of a meeting between Kevin Rudd and Donald Trump that emerged overnight. In January it was reported that Mr Rudd and President Trump had a 'brief' face to face encounter, but key details such as the date and location of the meeting had not been confirmed. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade finally responded to a question on notice from Senator James Paterson asking for more details on the meeting. In its response, DFAT confirmed Mr Rudd and President Trump met "in the dining room of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on January 11, 2025". The Prime Minister was asked by Sky News reporter Crystal Wu why Australians are "only now" getting more details about the meeting months later, during a press conference in Sydney on Friday. But the Prime Minister took a terse approach to the question, delivering a two-word answer. "They're not," Mr Albanese said. He was then asked if he was able to elaborate more on the details of the meeting but deflected and said: "Yeah I spoke in a morning TV interview, James Paterson needs to pay more attention. I've spoken publicly about this at the time.". "They had a brief discussion. It's out there." When asked if it was a "secret meeting", the Prime Minister hit back. "Well I just said, I talked about it at the time," he fired back. "So it's pretty hard for it to be a secret when you talk about it and get asked on morning TV, and if you go back you'll see that. "The Opposition need to decide whether they're going to continue to undermine Australia's nation interest or whether they'll join team Australia. What we need from them is less hyperventilation. "And more concentration on what Australia's national interest is. James Paterson and the Coalition never miss an opportunity to miss the opportunity to back Australia." Just days after the meeting between Mr Rudd and President Trump, Mr Albanese confirmed that there had been direct contact between the pair 'in recent times' but was tight-lipped on details. 'There has been direct contact and that is a good thing that that has occurred,' he told ABC AM on January 17. 'We engage diplomatically rather than go into those details. That's how we get things done. That's how you do diplomacy and that's how you get results. 'And Kevin Rudd has worked very hard to develop relationships with the incoming administration. He attended, of course, both of the conventions that were held last year and has continued to engage with the incoming administration.' Mr Albanese's press conference comes as he prepares for an almost week-long visit to China from Saturday July 12 to Friday 18 July for the Annual Leaders' Meeting. "During the Prime Minister's visit leaders will attend the Australia–China CEO Roundtable, a platform for Australian and Chinese business leaders to strengthen trade and investment between our two countries," a statement from the Prime Minister's office read. "The Prime Minister will also visit Shanghai and Chengdu, where he will meet business, tourism and sport representatives and build on Australia's strong economic and trade links with China."
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Albo to meet Xi on six-day China trip
Anthony Albanese has stressed the importance of Australia's $325bn trade relationship with China ahead of his six day visit to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, with the Prime Minister to meet with Chinese Communist Party President Xi Jingping and other senior officials. The centrepiece of the trip will be the Australia-China Annual Leaders' Meeting in Beijing which he will attend alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and where he will also meet Mr Xi and Chairman of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji – the third highest ranking person of the CCP. Discussions will be focused on global and regional issues, plus bilateral co-operation on areas including trade and tourism. China accounts for nearly 26 per cent of Australia's total goods and service trade. China will also raise desires to open the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement to include AI, healthcare, green energy and the digital economy. Anthony Albanese travel to China for the second time on Saturday. PMO Credit: Supplied Mr Albanese, who has faced criticism for failing to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump before his face-to-face with Mr Xi, has defended the trip, saying he intended to 'continue to co-operate with China where we can' and 'disagree where we must, and engage in our national interest'. 'Trade is now flowing freely, to the benefit of both countries and to people and businesses on both sides,' Mr Albanese said. 'We will continue to patiently and deliberately work towards a stable relationship with China, with dialogue at its core. 'I will raise issues that are important to Australians and the region including my government's enduring commitment to pursuing Australia's national interest.' A 14-person business delegation will also accompany Mr Albanese at a Australia–China CEO Roundtable, which will be hosted by the Business Council of Australia and include leaders from industries representing banking, resources, tertiary education and food. This includes ANZ International's managing director Simon Ireland, BHP Australia president Geraldine Slattery, Fortescue Metals Group executive chairman Andrew Forrest, Rio Tinto chief executive Kellie Parker, SunRice chief executive Paul Serra and UNSW Vice-Chancellor and president Attila Brungs. BCA chief executive Bran Black said Australia's relationship with China was a 'partnership that matters deeply to our nation's success'. 'With one in four Australian jobs trade dependent, it's imperative that our businesses are part of the solution in identifying further opportunities with both new and existing partners,' he said. 'The Australia-China CEO Roundtable is a crucial forum for building an even stronger relationship with our largest economic partner, particularly in the resources, energy and services sectors.' Mr Albanese is also set to meet with business, tourism and sport leaders when he visits Shanghai and Chendgu, the latter which is home to the giant panda research base, which is where Adelaide Zoo acquired two new giant pandas, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan, in late 2024. This will be Mr Albanese's second visit to China.
