Albanese Seeks Trump Meeting Amid G7 Middle East, Trade Tensions

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking a pivotal first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, hoping to discuss key issues such as AUKUS, trade tariffs, and Middle East instability. The urgency of the meeting has been heightened by Israel's recent strikes on Iran and the U.S. announcement of a 30-day review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, which some see as leverage for increased Australian defense spending. Albanese aims to advocate for free trade and secure exemptions from Trump's tariffs on Australian exports, while also discussing energy security and critical minerals. Despite weeks of preparation, a meeting with Trump remains unsecured, and uncertainty persists over the U.S. president's attendance at the summit amid domestic unrest and global crises. Opposition figures in Australia are pressuring Albanese to prioritize this meeting to strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance. The summit is set to be dominated by security challenges but also presents opportunities for deeper international cooperation.