"Watch out for the announcement of a new US-Australia critical minerals deal, although, with full details to be sorted out at a later date. Ambassador Rudd has had a critical minerals 'accord' for consideration with the Trump administration for some weeks now, and President Trump will be looking to shift the news cycle to something positive, like securing more critical minerals and rare earths for the exclusive use of the US."

"All roads lead to tariffs and all eyes will be on whether there is any prospect of a 'deal' that limits fall-out for Australia from President Trump's trade barrage. As well as US complaints, expect to hear more on Australia's critical minerals offering."

“Some US allies have a habit of coming to presidential meetings with a list of demands of the administration. Australia has been wise to avoid this habit – instead prioritising joint opportunities. Critical minerals is certainly one such opportunity but it is certainly not the only one. US-Australian cooperation on space is certainly another. Joint efforts in this area are already storied – including facilitating live TV coverage of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon – but far more can be done.”

ABC | Albanese faces US pressure to boost defence spending

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing pressure to boost defence spending as he prepares to head to the G7 Summit after the Trump administration insisted Australia increase its spending to 3.5% of its gross domestic product. USSC Director of Foreign Policy and Defence Professor Peter Dean spoke with ABC's AM, saying that "Donald Trump's behaviour, for instance, towards NATO and its European allies may well be replicated towards Australia."

The Nightly | PM urged to take advantage of looming Xi Jinping-Trump meeting and push for tariff reprieve at G7

The Nightly reports that expectations are piling on the Australian Prime Minister to secure a reprieve from sweeping Trump trade tariffs when he meets the US President at the G7 summit next week, but a lasting détente between the US and China is the result the economy really needs. Hopes of a thaw in tensions between the world’s two largest economies were boosted on Thursday with revelations that Mr Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had agreed to launch a new round of talks to resolve a trade war that has caused global disruption. USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein is quoted in the article.

ABC | More National Guard troops sent to LA

USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Lester Munson spoke to ABC about the latest developments with the riots in Los Angeles, including the decision to send 2,000 additional National Guard troops to the city.

ABC | Trump-Musk feud escalates

The rift is widening between US President Donald Trump and his former close ally, tech billionaire Elon Musk, with the pair trading bitter accusations on social media. The escalating feud comes as the Trump administration attempts to get a mammoth spending bill through the Senate, which is facing fierce opposition from Democrats, some Republicans and Elon Musk himself. The World Today spoke to Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe on these developments.

CONFERENCE

Sydney International Strategy Forum 2025: Navigating Disruption

From tariffs to artificial intelligence, one word best sums up 2025: disruption. President Donald Trump’s first 100 days featured norm-breaking policies at breakneck pace, often to be overturned days or weeks later. At the same time, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza have entered new eras with high-level negotiations, on-again off-again fighting and a new world order forming in real time to adapt to a changing strategic landscape. The 2024 trend of turfing incumbents has given way to foreign elections that many perceive to be a referendum on US politics.

What is the future of the United States’ role in the world? How can governments and businesses plan in the midst of constant change? How should allies and partners approach security challenges in 2025 and beyond?

International experts across government, business and research will share their insider insights on the discussions happening in Washington, Tokyo and Canberra and what this means for US allies and partners around the world.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Dr Mira Rapp-Hooper, Former Special Assistant to the US President and former National Security Council Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania
• General David Berger (retired), Former Marine Corps Commandant
• Kori Schake, American Enterprise Institute Director of Foreign and Defence Policy and former National Security Council Director for Defence Strategy
• Lisa Curtis, Center for a New American Security Director of Indo-Pacific Security and former National Security Council Senior Director for South and Central Asia
• Clay Lowery, Institute of International Finance Executive Vice President and former US Treasury Department Assistant Secretary and National Security Council Director for International Finance
• Professor Nobukatsu Kanehara, Sasakawa Peace Foundation Executive Director and former Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary

PUBLIC FORUM

David Shambaugh: How China won and lost America

Please join the United States Studies Centre for a conversation with Professor David Shambaugh, a world-renowned China scholar and author of “Breaking the Engagement: How China Won and Lost America”.