Anthony Albanese has strongly endorsed his hand-picked ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, as he seeks to draw a line under Monday's awkward encounter with Donald Trump.

Revealing he gave the US President and his wife Melania a model submarine, jewellery and "ugg-booties" for their newest grandchild, Mr Albanese declared the two-day visit to Washington DC a "success" and said his talks with Mr Trump were "positive and constructive".

While the bilateral meeting between the two leaders went smoothly, Mr Rudd inadvertently generated headlines when he was scolded by Mr Trump over past social media posts that were highly critical of the president .

Asked to respond to the now-deleted criticisms on X , Mr Trump – who at first did not realise that Mr Rudd was seated opposite him i

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