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Albanese meets Trump: US$8.5B critical minerals deal and AUKUS endorsement boosts US-Australia ties
22 October 2025
After months of speculation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese finally met with US President Donald Trump at the White House this Monday for the first official meeting between the two leaders. Widely heralded as a diplomatic success, key outcomes from the sit-down include the formal signing of a “historic” critical minerals and rare earths framework and President Trump’s endorsement of the AUKUS pact.
The meeting secured a US-Australia supply chain for critical minerals and rare earths in light of China’s dominance of the critical minerals industry. USSC’s Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer emphasised the significance of the deal: “The fact that any US money is coming to Australian companies is huge... I don’t think [the meeting] could have gone any better.” Yet, the long-term success of the framework will depend upon implementation and overcoming environmental and infrastructural challenges.
The meeting came just days after the release of USSC polling on Australian attitudes to the United States, President Trump and the alliance. The polling found that despite holding negative views of President Trump and the state of US democracy, Australians still see the United States as a key ally and partner.
Attention now turns to see how this meeting shapes the future of the Australia-US alliance. Whether the commitments on AUKUS and critical minerals translate into lasting strategic gains remains to be seen.
Han-Keul Page
Media and Publications Officer
Jared Mondschein
Director, Research
Lead photo: US President Donald Trump greets Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House in Washington, DC, on 20 October 2025 (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
“Cooperation on critical minerals and rare earth supply chains is testament to the trusted partnership between Australia and the United States as strategic defence allies.”
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Upcoming events
The rise and reign of right-wing humour: How liberals lost comedy and helped Trump win
Professor Nick Marx from Colorado State University will present his paper about how liberals lost comedy and helped Trump win. Now more than ever, nearly a year into the second Trump presidency, this paper urges renewed attention to the hegemonic pull of right-wing politics on United States and Global North comedy, humour and satire.
Please join us for an event featuring Nick Marx, Professor of Film and Media Studies at Colorado State University, followed by a discussion moderated by USSC Academic Director and Senior Lecturer in American Studies, Dr Rodney Taveira.
17 November 2025
6.00-7.00pmAuditorium, The Michael Spence Building (F23) at the Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road, The University of Sydney NSW 2006
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building (H03)
University of Sydney NSW 2006