Diplomatic triumph or ‘capitulation’? Albanese found Donald Trump in a heavenly mood, but the devil may be in the detail

<p>Fresh from a tropical holiday, the Australian prime minister caught the US president at his effusive best</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/21/i-dont-like-you-either-diplomats-hold-their-breath-as-trump-chides-rudd-over-previous-comments">‘I don’t like you either’: diplomats hold their breath as Trump chides Rudd over previous comments</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/oct/21/australia-news-live-michaelia-cash-china-jet-raaf-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-donald-trump-white-house-critical-minerals-deal-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Anthony Albanese was so pleased about his first meeting with Donald Trump, so chuffed with the overwhelming – and somewhat unexpected – praise from the president, the prime minister joked that he’d use the endorsements in his campaign ads at the next election.</p><p>That’s obviously unlikely to happen – consider the effective campaign Albanese ran <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/04/labor-accusation-dutton-trump-policies-wfh-katy-gallagher">against Peter Dutton by comparing him to Trump</a>, and the Labor left flank already ropable over what they view as a fawning and “shameful capitulation” over Aukus and critical minerals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/21/diplomatic-triumph-or-capitulation-albanese-found-donald-trump-in-a-heavenly-mood-but-the-devil-may-be-in-the-detail">Continue reading...</a>