7am Albo v Trump: Oct 20. Let’s goooooo.
Sep 28, 2025
Karen Middleton, a seasoned political journalist and author of 'Albanese: Telling It Straight,' delves into the complexities of Albanese’s long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump. She discusses the rocky Australia-US relations and why Australia was initially a low priority for Trump. Middleton highlights the behind-the-scenes efforts to secure the meeting, including significant diplomatic maneuvers. The conversation also touches on balancing domestic goals with US interests and provides insights into potential strategies for navigating the unpredictable Trump.
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Delayed Meeting Signals Diplomatic Cooling
- Australia and the US have not had a face-to-face between Albanese and Trump in nearly 11 months, signalling a lower priority for Australia in Trump's list.
- Karen Middleton views the lack of an early meeting as a meaningful diplomatic signal rather than mere scheduling conflict.
Placement At Summits Carries Meaning
- Cancelled summit meetings and placement low on Trump's schedule suggest Australia wasn't a priority and may have been grouped with leaders he had recent disagreements with.
- Middleton reads this pattern as an implicit message from the Trump White House rather than accidental timing.
Persistent Backchannels Secured The Date
- Behind-the-scenes diplomacy increased once Canada meeting fell through, including Defence Minister visits and NSC contacts to secure an Oval Office date.
- A later phone call between Trump and Albanese appears to have locked in the October 20 meeting.
