6m agoMon 20 Oct 2025 at 3:05pm
A lot of rare earth conversation expected, says key Trump advisor
The National Economic Council (NEC) director Kevin Hassett spoke to media near the White House this morning, ahead of Anthony Albanese’s arrival.
“Australia is really, really going to be helpful in the effort to take the global economy and make it less risky, less exposed to the kind of rare earth (minerals) extortion that we’re seeing from the Chinese,” he said.
“[Australia is] One of the best mining economies on earth and the smartest and most capable refiners are in Australia and they’ve got lots and lots of rare earths.
“I think there’ll be a lot of conversation about that matter today.”
For context, the NEC reports to the president and advises the US government on economic matters.
NEC director Kevin Hassett. (Reuters: Brian Snyder)
20m agoMon 20 Oct 2025 at 2:51pm
Analysis: Timing of meeting ‘could hardly be better’
The ABC’s national affairs correspondent Jane Norman says the timing of today’s meeting, some 11 months in to Albanese’s prime ministership, couldn’t be better.
“Just over a week ago, China rocked its fragile trade truce with the White House when it tightened its already vice-like grip on the global supply of the elements needed to build everything from batteries, cars and missiles, to the magnets Trump so often talks about.
“Australia has these critical minerals and rare earths in abundant supply and can dig them out of the ground, but what it is lacking is the capital to take the next step and process these minerals, to ultimately challenge China’s near-total dominance of the sector.”
But it isn’t just rare minerals that will likely feature on the meeting agenda.
There’s also AUKUS, security, trade and tariffs to discuss.
Read Jane’s analysis here.
31m agoMon 20 Oct 2025 at 2:40pm
Some snaps from Sunday night
The PM’s plane touched down at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland around 10:30pm Sunday, local time.
It’s about a half hour’s drive from the White House.
He was greeted by a familiar face and long-time Labor colleague: Australia’s Ambassaor to the US, Kevin Rudd.
Anthony Albanese arrives in the US on Sunday evening. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
Mr Albanese held multiple front-bench positions after Mr Rudd swept to power at Australia’s 2007 federal election.
Mr Albanese was also deputy prime minister for a brief period when Mr Rudd returned to Australia’s top office between June and September 2013.
Mr Rudd is expected to be at today’s meeting, and I’m going to talk more about why that’s interesting later.
Kevin Rudd (left), greets Anthony Albanese. (AAP: Lukas Coch)
1h agoMon 20 Oct 2025 at 1:50pm
Good morning from Washington DC
If you’re in Australia and reading this post, thanks for staying up!
It’s going to be a big day here in Washington.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in town and is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump this morning, local time.
This chat is taking place amid a complex and, let’s be honest, violent geopolitical backdrop.
It’s also significant because it’s the first substantial in-person meeting between the two leaders since President Trump returned to the White House in February.
They have spoken on the phone, however, and also snapped a pic together when they bumped into each other at the United Nations in New York last month.
I’ve covered a few of these White House chats before, and they can be really unpredictable.
My colleague Patrick Martin and I will be guiding you through today’s developments here. Strap yourselves in!
