On Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet with Donald Trump at the White House, marking the 14th meeting between the U.S. president and a leader of a G20 nation since his inauguration in January 2023. This visit underscores Trump’s ongoing engagement with global leaders, as he has also met with heads of state from countries including Britain, France, Germany, and Japan.
Trump’s diplomatic efforts have included at least one meeting with each of the G20 leaders, along with a series of visits from leaders outside the group. He has welcomed leaders such as the king of Jordan and the prime minister of Israel, while also making visits to nations like Ukraine and Pakistan. Upcoming engagements will include a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in the next two months and a scheduled meeting with China’s leader Xi Jinping, highlighting Trump’s focus on international relations.
Australia’s Absence from Trump’s Agenda
Despite the extensive list of meetings with world leaders, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has yet to secure a face-to-face meeting with Trump. This absence is noteworthy, especially as only three G20 nations—Brazil, Mexico, and Australia—have not had a direct engagement with the U.S. president. The situation is complicated by Brazilian President Lula da Silva‘s vocal criticism of the Trump administration, while Mexico’s relationship has been strained due to tensions surrounding border policies.
The Australian Embassy in Washington has made persistent efforts to arrange a meeting for Albanese. Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has strong ties in Washington, has been actively involved in these negotiations. His influence is further reinforced by former ambassador Joe Hockey, who has maintained connections with key figures in the Trump administration since his tenure began in 2016.
Hockey, known for his deep connections within U.S. political circles, has leveraged his contacts in hopes of facilitating a meeting for Albanese. He famously predicted Trump’s victory in the 2016 election against the consensus view of Australian diplomats at the time. Despite Hockey’s efforts, securing a meeting for Albanese remains elusive, illustrating the challenges faced by Australia’s current diplomatic standing.
Challenges in Diplomatic Relations
Political analysts note that Albanese’s absence from Trump’s meeting calendar reflects broader diplomatic hurdles. While Trump has established relationships with numerous world leaders, Australia’s position appears to have weakened in comparison. The diplomatic capital that Australia traditionally holds seems diminished, making it difficult for Albanese to gain traction in securing a meeting.
As the international political landscape evolves, the significance of Albanese’s eventual meeting with Trump will be closely monitored. If the meeting does occur, it is likely to hinge more on Hockey’s personal influence rather than the current diplomatic efforts of the Australian government. The growing list of leaders engaging with Trump may put additional pressure on the Albanese administration to enhance its diplomatic outreach.
The upcoming meeting between Lee and Trump may further highlight Australia’s absence, prompting discussions about the future of U.S.-Australia relations. As more leaders secure their meetings, the question of when Albanese will finally meet with Trump remains unanswered.
