Part 7/9:
A notable point McGarin raised is the absence of formal meetings between Australia and former US President Donald Trump during Albanese’s tenure, which he suggests is a calculated diplomatic choice. Albanese appears reluctant to pursue high-profile engagement until certain issues — such as tariffs and the Orcus review — are resolved. Trump’s policies have included demanding that US allies spend at least 3.5% of their GDP on defense, a target Australia currently falls short of, at around 2%. This discrepancy complicates the possibility of a full-scale bilateral meeting, as Trump is likely to press Australia on its defense spending during any potential encounter.