Opposition leader Sussan Ley has backtracked on her call for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to sack Kevin Rudd as Ambassador to the United States after his tense exchange with Donald Trump.

Rudd was involved in an awkward moment during Albanese's landmark meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday, where Trump told the former prime minister, "I don't like you, and I probably never will," in response to a question about criticism from years ago.

Despite the incident being laughed off by Albanese, and reports that Rudd had offered an off-camera apology to Trump – which was accepted – Ley still called for the prime minister to take action.

Ley said yesterday Albanese had to, "back him or sack him", calling Rudd's appointment a "captain's pick".

However, in a press confer

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