Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, marking their first official in-person meeting since both leaders took office. The meeting, held on October 20, 2025, focused on strengthening defense ties and economic cooperation between the two nations.

During the meeting, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the AUKUS defense pact, which includes plans for Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. He stated, "With Anthony, we’ve worked on this long and hard. We’re starting that process right now. I think it’s really moving along very rapidly, very well." Trump emphasized that the previous administration's pace on the agreement was too slow and expressed his intent to expedite the process.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a landmark agreement on critical minerals. This deal aims to ensure a steady supply of rare earth materials, crucial for various technologies, including defense and green energy. Both countries will invest $1 billion over the next six months into projects that are ready to commence, unlocking an $8.5 billion pipeline of future projects. Albanese described the agreement as a vital step in enhancing economic collaboration, particularly in light of China's tightening control over global supply chains.

Trump also addressed concerns regarding China, stating, "I think we’ll be just fine with China. China doesn’t want to do that." He expressed confidence in maintaining stable relations and hinted at a potential trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting was not without its awkward moments. When asked about past disparaging comments made by Australia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Kevin Rudd, Trump quipped, "I don’t like you either, and probably never will," eliciting laughter from those present. Rudd acknowledged his previous remarks, stating they were made before his current role.

Albanese took the opportunity to invite Trump to visit Australia, to which Trump responded positively, indicating he would consider the invitation seriously. The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing optimism about the future of U.S.-Australia relations and the potential for further collaboration on security and economic issues.