【Text by Observers Network, Juan Jiaqi】

According to reports from Sky News Australia and The Australian newspaper, Australian Prime Minister Albanese has recently been subjected to unwarranted criticism for being "too close to China." Especially after failing to hold a face-to-face meeting with US President Trump at the G7 summit, his plan to visit China quickly became a target.

On July 1st, local time, during an interview with Sky News Australia, Albanese refuted the claim that he placed Sino-Australian relations above U.S.-Australian relations. When the host deliberately provoked, insisting on asking "why he met Chinese leaders more times than Trump," the Australian news website "The Nightly" said Albanese showed obvious "displeasure."

He frowned and replied, "Since becoming prime minister, I have met the US president more times. I have visited the United States five times and China once."

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had previously reported that Albanese planned to make another official visit to China later this year. This would be his second official visit as prime minister within two years, making him one of the most frequently invited Australian prime ministers to visit China in history.

Regarding the news that the Australian prime minister would visit China this summer, on June 5th, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated at a regular press conference that there was no information available at the moment. China's position on developing Sino-Australian relations has always been clear. China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Australia, and promote the construction of a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Australia.

Sky News Australia video screenshot

During the G7 leaders' summit from June 15th to 17th, Albanese had originally planned to have his first face-to-face meeting with Trump. However, due to the sudden tension in the Middle East, Trump left the country a day earlier to deal with the conflict between Israel and Iran, and the meeting therefore fell through.

Facing many doubts, during the intensive media interviews on Tuesday morning, Albanese said he would meet with Trump in the "next few months" and emphasized that the two leaders might have multiple meetings during the gaps of summits such as the Quad, G20, and APEC in the second half of the year.

"When we need to meet, we will arrange it naturally. Once the schedule is confirmed, we will do so," he told Sky News Australia, "When the summit season comes in the last few months of this year, there will be many opportunities for us to meet. In the coming months, we will meet frequently."

On the Australian Channel 9's "Today Show," Albanese was asked a more direct question - as the only leader in the Quad who has not yet met with Trump, did he feel "embarrassed"?

"Not at all. We will meet in the coming months. But my main priority has always been to serve the Australian people, and today is the day to fulfill my promise..." Albanese then shifted the topic to introduce paid parental leave, pensions, and other social welfare issues.

But the host continued to ask, "I really can't understand, given Australia's long-standing close alliance with the US, how could the president be so indifferent to meeting with you. I think it's too disrespectful. Why don't you just tell him to bugger off?"

At first, Albanese said "audio interruption" and didn't hear the question. When the host asked again, he countered that the facts were not like that, and that he had already had several "very constructive discussions" with Trump. He also described their relationship as "mutual respect."

"He also showed me respect when he called to congratulate me on my election, which is a positive signal. Of course, I have also had constructive consultations with US government officials, and my cabinet ministers have done the same," Albanese defended, "However, the president has his own views on tariffs, which differ from Australia's position, and it must be pointed out that this is different from the views of previous US presidents."

Albanese emphasized that most economists understand that free and fair trade is beneficial to the world, and the US benefits from it as well. "Now, this president has the right to pursue his so-called 'America First' policy, and we have the right to defend Australia's national interests, which is a principle I will uphold."

Host (left) provokes, asks Albanese why he doesn't tell Trump to bugger off

As the deadline for tariff negotiations set by the Trump administration, "July 9th," enters its final week, Albanese also said the government is using "all resources and relationships" to secure an advantage in the negotiations.

The US imposes a 10% "reciprocal tariff" on Australian imported goods. Albanese said no country has a lower tariff level than Australia, which means Australia "is not at a disadvantage."

In the "Today Show" program, he added, "In fact, if you look at our beef export data, you will find that exports in April this year increased by 91% compared to April last year (when there were no tariffs). This shows that goods are still being exported, but the buyers pay a higher price. Therefore, tariffs are essentially an act of economic self-harm. That's why we haven't imposed retaliatory tariffs on US imports into Australia, which aligns with our free trade agreement."

Albanese reiterated that his government will continue to have constructive dialogue on Australia's existing economic relations and defense partnership with the US.

"If you read some reports, you may think we are a country that does nothing and contributes nothing," he added, "That's why I emphasize the value of Australia, because we are an important ally of the US. By investing in our own strength, we have made many contributions to regional peace and security. But equally important is the crucial role we play in building regional relations."

So far, among all the allies, only the UK has reached a limited trade agreement with the US.

The stalled negotiation process has led Trump to repeatedly issue threats. In addition to Canada and the EU, on June 30th, Trump posted on his self-created social media platform "Truth Social," accusing Japan of not accepting US rice, and called this ally "spoiled," implying to end the trade negotiations.

Previously, the White House stated that the deadline set by Trump for the negotiations "was not important."

"Perhaps these deadlines can be extended, but that will be decided by the president," said White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt on the 26th, "If these countries refuse to reach an agreement with us before the deadline, the president can directly offer them a deal."

In a program on Fox News on the 29th, "Sunday Morning Futures," Trump first said he didn't think it was necessary to extend the tariff deadline, then added, "I can also extend it, it's not a big deal."

US Treasury Secretary Bensons said on the 26th that trade agreements with important trading partners may be completed before September 1st, the US Labor Day.

This article is an exclusive article by Observers Network, and unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522035975665582626/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your attitude by clicking on the 【top/down】 buttons below.