PM set to meet US President in Washington
Recently, one of Trump’s senior advisors made some comments at the White House about his visit to Australia.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett praised Australia’s mining industry and the country’s capacity to help remove China’s stranglehold on the world’s supply of critical minerals.
He said the US was calling Australia not to separate it from China but to help reduce risks to the global economy.
“I don’t think the president believes desegregation is the right answer. [Treasury] Secretary [Scott] Bessent says it’s all about de-risking,” Hassett said.”
“Australia will be really helpful in efforts to make the global economy less risky and less exposed to the rare earth grabs that we’re seeing from the Chinese.
“Australia has one of the best mining economies in the world and some of the smartest and most capable refineries, and it has a lot of rare earths. I think there’s going to be a lot of talk about that today.”
He said any agreement or announcement from the meeting would be up to Trump and Albanese.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, speaks to the media outside the White House on Monday.Credit: Bloomberg
