Trump Praises Albanese at APEC Dinner with Eight World Leaders

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, US President Donald Trump praised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his leadership on a recent $13 billion critical minerals deal between the US and Australia, describing their cooperation as successful and highlighting ongoing collaboration on rare earths. The two leaders sat side-by-side and shared a warm exchange during a special dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, attended by leaders from eight nations including New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. This event marked their second meeting in two weeks and underscored the strengthening US-Australia partnership, with Trump also endorsing the AUKUS submarine deal. The dinner preceded a highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, aimed at resolving trade tensions and economic conflicts between the US and China. Trump expressed optimism about reaching a constructive agreement with Xi, which could have significant implications for global trade. The positive interactions between Trump and Albanese contrast with the more strained relations seen between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, illustrating the varied dynamics among APEC members.