Factual. Independent. Impartial.
Support AAP with a free or paid subscription
Finance
Kat Wong

PM coy on whether Canadian leader gave him Trump tips

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is the first leader Anthony Albanese met before the G7 talks. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

The prime minister has met with his outspoken Canadian counterpart as both prepare for highly anticipated talks with Donald Trump.

Mr Albanese's discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was the first in a series of talks with world leaders he will conduct on the sidelines of the G7 summit over coming days.

But his final face-to-face with the US president on Tuesday looms as the most important.

Anthony Albanese says his talks with Canadian PM Mark Carney involved defence and climate change. (Lukas Coch/AAP VIDEO)

"The discussion with President Trump, I expect, will be very much about Australia and the United States and our relations," Mr Albanese told reporters in Calgary on Sunday local time.

"We've got a few things to talk about."

Australia is not a member of the G7, but Mr Carney - as summit host - invited the prime minister to attend the 2025 event, being held in Kananaskis in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta province.

US tariffs are expected to dominate the summit, with many world leaders, including Mr Carney, lining up for talks with Mr Trump.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Talks with the Canadian leader focused on the nations' shared relationship, Anthony Albanese says. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Though it will be Mr Albanese's first face-to-face meeting with the US president, the G7 host has previously held well-received talks with Mr Trump, despite vowing to fight back against his threatened tariffs.

The Australian prime minister would not be drawn when asked if Mr Carney had provided tips on how to approach the American leader.

"The issues between Canada and the United States have been very public and very obvious," Mr Albanese said.

"We focused our discussions on Australia and Canada and our relationship, which is very important.

"In the uncertain world, what people are looking for is certainty in relationships ... Australia and Canada are such partners."

Anthony Albanese and Mark Carney
Anthony Albanese and Mark Carney have held bilateral talks for the first time. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

The two leaders reflected on the history of their co-operation, specifically pointing to bushfire seasons when each nation has sent firefighters to help battle the other's natural disasters.

During the meeting, they discussed deepening their defence engagement, climate change and the escalating situation in the Middle East.

Both men previously met on the margins of the Papal inauguration last month and have spoken over the phone on a few occasions, but Sunday's event was their first formal bilateral discussion.

They used the opportunity to gift each other hats that embodied their nations.

Mr Carney received an Akubra, while Mr Albanese was presented with a Stetson, a similar wide-brimmed hat that has come to symbolise Canada.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Calgary
Anthony Albanese will meet a host of world leaders during his visit to Canada. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

The Canadian leader was also given a framed piece of memorabilia from the 1981 Australian war film Gallipolli - his favourite movie - and offered Mr Albanese a bronze bear sculpture by wildlife artist Roy Hinz.

Compared to his Canadian peer, who won an election pledging to stand up to Mr Trump with his "elbows up", the prime minister has taken a less adversarial stance on Mr Trump.

He promised to "deal with people constructively, respectfully and advance Australia's national interest" and his government is considering using US beef imports and critical minerals as potential bargaining chips in tariff negotiations.

Mr Albanese has also consistently highlighted Australia and America's long history while pointing out the ways the trade measures will harm US consumers.

US President Donald Trump, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Anthony Albanese will emphasise Australia's long history with the US when he meets Donald Trump. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Tariffs are generally passed on by importers to the citizens of the country imposing the measures, but can reduce demand for the exporting country's products.

Australia faces 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel products sent to the US, while other goods have been hit with a baseline 10 per cent levy.

Mr Albanese is also scheduled to meet newly-elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Monday local time, before more discussions the following day with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, among others.

License this article

Sign up to read this article for free
Choose between a free or paid subscription to AAP News
Start reading
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on AAP right now