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The foreign affairs minister was asked about Donald Trump’s remark that he didn’t like the Australian ambassador, Kevin Rudd, and “probably never will” during the White House meeting early this morning.
Trump made the testy remark, telling Rudd “I don’t like you either”, at the White House cabinet room table, prompting uncomfortable laughter. Penny Wong told RN the ambassador had done an “extremely good job” getting the meeting between the US president and Albanese:
Look, I think those comments were clearly tongue-in-cheek. I’m very pleased that the meeting has been such a success. That is a good thing for our country. It’s extremely good to have this critical minerals deal backed in, and it’s extremely positive for the country to have the president so supportive of Aukus and the delivery of the submarines, which is an important capability for us.
Kevin did an extremely good job not only in getting the meeting but doing the work on the critical minerals deal. And the meeting reflects the success of that work.
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