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When questioned about Donald Trump‘s comment expressing his dislike for the Australian ambassador, Kevin Rudd, and his assertion that he “probably never will” like him during the early morning White House meeting, the foreign affairs minister responded thoughtfully.
At the White House cabinet room table, Trump’s sharp retort-telling Rudd, “I don’t like you either”-elicited some uneasy laughter. However, Penny Wong praised the ambassador’s efforts, emphasizing his pivotal role in facilitating the meeting between the US president and Prime Minister Albanese:
“I believe those remarks were clearly made in jest. I’m genuinely pleased with how successful the meeting turned out to be. This is a significant achievement for our nation. Securing the critical minerals agreement is a major win, and it’s incredibly encouraging to have the president’s strong endorsement of Aukus and the advancement of the submarine program, which is vital for our defense capabilities.”
She added that Kevin Rudd excelled not only in arranging the meeting but also in negotiating the critical minerals deal, with the positive outcome of the meeting underscoring the effectiveness of his efforts.
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