Trump and Albanese sign minerals deal at White House meeting
The historic leaders’ meeting saw an important minerals deal struck between the US and Australia as well as the AUKUS pact solidified. So why did our ambassador leave with a red face?
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump have signed a critical minerals agreement worth AUD $13 billion (US $8.5 billion) in their first formal face-to-face meeting.
President Trump also publicly backed the AUKUS* agreement for the first time, confirming Australia would be armed with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines despite previous concerns the deal would be scrapped.
But much of the attention from the meeting went to Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, after President Trump was asked about Mr Rudd previously calling him “the most destructive president in history.”
Turning to Mr Albanese, Mr Trump asked: “Did the ambassador say something about me … don’t tell me”.
“Where is he, is he still working for you?”
In an awkward exchange, Mr Albanese hesitated before pointing at Mr Rudd directly across the table from the President, saying, “He’s there”.
Members of the Trump administration including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth laughed as Mr Rudd attempted to squirm out of the exchange, agreeing he had made comments “Before I took this position, Mr President”.
Mr Trump interrupted, telling him: “I don’t like you either and I probably never will”.
Australian officials said after Mr Rudd apologised, all was forgiven by the US President.
HOW WILL THE MINERALS DEAL WORK?
Australia and the US have signed a deal to strengthen and fast-track the supply and processing of critical minerals, in a move designed to break China’s stronghold on the industry.
It took five months of negotiations to reach the agreement.
Under the deal, both countries have agreed to intensify efforts to fast-track the secure supply of critical minerals and rare earths* needed for the manufacturing of defence and advanced technologies.
Under the deal, both countries will contribute $1 billion each toward investments in critical mineral projects in the US and Australia within the next six months.
The first two projects to benefit will be the Alcoa-Sojitz Gallium* Recovery Project in Wagerup, Western Australia, and the Arafura Nolans project in the Northern Territory.
The WA project is forecast to fulfil up to 10 per cent of the world’s gallium supply – essential for manufacturing semiconductors* and defence goods.
The NT mine is expected to produce five per cent of global rare earths used for energy and defence.
The deal will support efforts by both countries to secure supply and processing of critical minerals and rare earths.
“President Trump and I agreed today we will work very hard together in both our nations’ interests,” Mr Albanese said.
“We’ve agreed today Australia and America are going to make more things together with our historic framework on critical minerals.
“Australia is home to much of the periodic table of critical minerals and rare earth metals that are vital for defence and other advanced technologies.”
Mr Albanese said there were no greater friends or allies than the two countries.
“Co-operation on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains* is testament to the trusted partnership between Australia and the United States as strategic defence allies,” he said.
Speaking in the White House alongside the Prime Minister, Mr Trump said it was good timing the deal was closed in time for their meeting.
“In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them,” Mr Trump said.
AUKUS ON THE TABLE
Mr Trump also publicly confirmed the AUKUS agreement would go ahead.
Under the $368 billion pact with the UK and the US, Australia’s navy will be armed with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, including three American made Virginia-class boats.
A Pentagon review of the agreement, amid sluggish submarine production in the US, sparked grave concerns it could be scrapped, leaving Australia billions worse-off and urgently needing a new centrepiece for its 21st-century defence strategy.
But Mr Trump said his administration was working to speed up the delivery of the submarines.
TRUMP INVITED TO AUSTRALIA
Both leaders were deeply complimentary when they fronted media, with Mr Trump declaring Mr Albanese “highly respected”.
“(He’s) done very well in his election, and I hear you’re popular today – it varies from day to day. But he’s done a fantastic job as Prime Minister,” he said.
Mr Trump also revealed he had been invited to visit Australia, with Mr Albanese joking he should time his visit with the President’s Cup – an international golfing tournament.
“I actually have been to Australia, and I did play one of your great golf courses. They have great golf courses there, but I have been to Australia, actually,” Mr Trump said.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- AUKUS: a trilateral security partnership between the US, the UK and Australia involving the purchase of submarines from the US and the sharing of military expertise between the three allies
- rare earths: a group of 17 heavy metals that can be found in the Earth’s crust
- gallium: a soft, silvery-white metal
- semiconductors: a substance that can either act as a conductor or an insulator of electricity, making them ideal for computers and other digital devices
- supply chain: a whole system of producing and delivering a product or service
EXTRA READING
Date night a bust at the ‘G7 Bistro’
Trump declares end of Gaza war
Diplomatic disaster at White House
QUICK QUIZ
1. How much is the minerals deal that was signed between the US and Australia worth?
2. How will the deal likely affect China?
3. Why did President Trump tell Kevin Rudd he didn’t like him?
4. What did President Trump say about the AUKUS agreement?
5. What did President Trump do for fun when he visited Australia?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Mining minerals
What are the benefits and challenges of mining critical minerals in Australia?
Look at this question from the perspective of different key groups below:
Australian government:
Benefits –
Challenges –
US government:
Benefits –
Challenges-
Environmental groups:
Benefits –
Challenges –
Mining companies:
Benefits –
Challenges –
Local Indigenous communities:
Benefits –
Challenges –
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Geography, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
Work with a partner to use a map of Australia to mark where key minerals (lithium, nickel, rare earths, gallium) are found.
Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Geography, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
To sum it up
After reading the article, use your comprehension skills to summarise in a maximum of three sentences what the article is about.
Think about:
- What is the main topic or idea?
- What is an important or interesting fact?
- Who was involved (people or places)?
Use your VCOP skills to re-read your summary to make sure it is clear, specific and well punctuated.