Politics Now What will happen when Albanese meets Trump? | Insiders On Background
Oct 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Hayley Channer, Director of the Economic Security Program at the US Studies Centre, shares her insights on the upcoming meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump. She highlights potential flashpoints in defense spending and critical minerals. Hayley also explores the complexities of US–Australia relations, the impact of China's dominance in rare earths, and the necessity of public investment for minerals security. The conversation is a deep dive into strategic challenges and opportunities in reshaping supply chains.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Strong Ties, Weak Public Trust
- The US–Australia relationship remains structurally strong due to deep defence and trade ties despite political friction.
- Australians widely distrust the Trump administration, so Albanese must manage optics as well as policy.
Prepare For Unscripted Flashpoints
- Any issue could become a flashpoint in the Oval Office, from defence spending to drug-pricing policies.
- The Australian government has pre-emptively funded US defence industry support to reduce chances of a public spat.
Tiny Inputs, Massive Risk
- Rare earths are a tiny but essential input across defence and consumer tech, making supply chokepoints critical.
- The US outsourced processing to China for decades and is now highly dependent on Chinese midstream capacity.