Selfie with Trump a small win, but Aussie PM Albanese must cement alliance at next meeting

Oct session key as he tries to ensure US stays committed to engaging with Asia-Pac region

- Jonathan Pearlman For The Straits Times

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has been trying to secure a meeting for months, took the opportunity to quickly take a selfie with him and post it on social media.

The selfie was a stark reminder that this brief encounter at a busy reception in New York was not the meeting Mr Albanese had hoped for when he left Australia on Sept 21 for the US.

He has been under intense pressure to meet Mr Trump to secure the US leader's commitment to the three-way Aukus security pact between Australia, the UK and the US, through which Australia is set to secure a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

Mr Albanese is also keen to push Canberra's case for a reprieve on US tariffs, including a 10 per cent baseline tariff and a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium.

In Australia, a staunch ally of the US, there have been regular headlines about Mr Albanese’s failure to meet Mr Trump.

Mr Albanese has faced heavy criticism from the opposition Liberal-National Coalition, which has accused him of angering Mr Trump by moving to recognise Palestine and demanding stronger action on climate change.

So Mr Albanese was no doubt keen to publicise their long-awaited encounter this week.

When asked about the meeting by reporters on Sept 25, he said: "We had a very warm and engaging chat. I tend not to broadcast private discussions, but it was very warm."

To his relief, the White House confirmed on Sept 24 that Mr Trump is now scheduled to meet him in Washington on Oct 20.