Albanese to meet Trump and Quad leaders in Manila after midterms

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Manila later this month for a Quadrilateral Security Dialogue meeting with US President Donald Trump, India’s Narendra Modi and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi. The gathering comes after Albanese attended the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya and follows the recent US congressional elections, which saw the Republican Party lose control of both the House and Senate.

A seasoned diplomat noted that frequent Quad foreign-minister meetings have highlighted the leaders’ differing priorities, but a summit of the heads of state has been scheduled despite earlier doubts. Albanese is expected to discuss Indo-Pacific stability, trade in critical minerals and the ongoing fuel price shock with the other leaders before heading to China for talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum in Shenzhen.

Commentator Bruce Wolpe said Albanese has treated relations with Trump as “transactional, not existential”, avoiding retaliation over US tariff policies. Trade minister Don Farrell told the Australian Financial Review that Trump’s loss of congressional control validates Australia’s objection to additional US import taxes, which he said raise prices for American consumers.

Both Australian parties are feeling pressure over household costs, petrol prices and rising interest rates ahead of state elections, and the Quad summit is seen as a tool to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.