Australia, Indonesia leaders discuss Trump impact
The leaders of Australia and Indonesia have discussed what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for the world, after the incoming US leader threatened to impose tariffs on imported goods.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Prabowo Subianto held the talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit in Lima, Peru.
“We had a good discussion,” Albanese told reporters in Lima.
“He had a phone conversation with President (elect) Trump, as I did last week, so we discussed that and what it might mean for the world.
“Obviously, that’s part of the backdrop of APEC and the G20 is what the impact of a change in US Administration will have.”
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Leaders from the world’s largest economies are meeting in Lima as the international community works to shore up trade relationships ahead of the Republican presidency.
Trump has flagged tariffs on imports to the US of between 10-20 per cent and up to 60 per cent for Chinese goods.
Prabowo called Trump on Monday after arriving in Washington, ahead of his arrival in Peru.
“Wherever you are, I’m willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir,” Prabowo said in the video of the call posted on social media.
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“We’ll do that, anytime you want,” Trump replied.
Trump said the Indonesian president was “very respected”, and praised his English, to which Prabowo, a former special forces commander, replied: “All my training is American, sir.”
Albanese, who is in Peru alongside Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, also met with the President of Peru, Dina Boluarte, to discuss the bilateral engagement between their two countries on mining and agriculture.
Asked if he also planned to meet with China’s President Xi Jinping, who has arrived in Lima, Albanese left the door open, saying “we’ll make announcements at appropriate times”.
Albanese was also asked if he had considered making a side trip from Lima to Florida, where Trump has an estate, to meet him in person.
“I’ll have a meeting with President Trump when it is organised,’ he said.
“We spoke about gathering, and I’m sure that will occur.
“I intend to be in parliament next Thursday when our parliament is sitting,” he said, adding that he believed that so far his relationship with Trump had been “very constructive” and “very positive”.
Host Peru is working on achieving consensus declarations within the non-binding economic forum, with its ambassador to Australia saying officials were focused on talks with the current American administration.
There are also hopes the meeting could deliver consensus on a revitalised blueprint for an Asia free trade area.
