Australian Opposition Slams Prime Minister Over Seven-Month Delay in Trump Meeting

Deputy Nationals Leader Kevin Hogan has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of failing Australia's national security interests by not prioritizing a face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump seven months after the US leader took office.

Speaking on Sky News Australia Thursday morning, Hogan criticized Albanese's diplomatic approach as the Trump administration launches a review of the AUKUS defense partnership, led by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, who has previously expressed skepticism about the trilateral pact.

"I actually think it's a failure of Albanese that he's yet to have a physical meeting with Trump," Hogan said. "Many world leaders have had face-to-face meetings with him. The fact that he hasn't prioritised a one-to-one meeting with the president seven months on is not good enough."

Hogan's criticism comes as Albanese prepares to meet Trump at the upcoming G7 summit, marking what would be their first in-person encounter since Trump returned to the White House in January following his November election victory.

The Deputy Nationals Leader emphasized the importance of personal relationships in international negotiations, particularly with Trump's transactional leadership style.

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