Anthony Albanese has locked in his first face to face meeting with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada as he prepares to stare down the US President on Australia's defence spending. 

The prime minister on Sunday confirmed a meeting had been set for Tuesday local time when the leaders head to Kananaskis, Alberta and plans to stand his ground against US demands for Australia to increase our defence budget. 

He also plans to raise the impact of Trump's trade tariffs on the Australian and US economies and push for an exemption, as well as the precarious future of the AUKUS nuclear submarines agreement, which is currently under review by the US government. 

'Obviously, there are issues that the US president is dealing with at the moment,' Albanese told media in Seattle on Saturday local time.

'But I expect that we will be able to have a constructive engagement as well.

'I look forward to building on the very constructive phone conversations that we've had on the three occasions that we've had the opportunity to talk.'

Both men have already spoken on three occasions but Tuesday's arrangement is the first time they will meet in person since.

Albanese said he would raise tariffs and emphasise the importance of AUKUS, Australia's nuclear-powered submarine arrangement with the US and UK. 

Under the deal, Australia will construct the SSN-AUKUS class of attack submarines, set to enter service in the 2040s. 

Before those submarines are built, US has committed to selling Australia up to five SSN-774 class nuclear submarines from 2032. 

The deal also involves collaboration between the powers to develop joint advanced military capabilities to strengthen Indo-Pacific security.

The Pentagon's snap review of the deal followed Washington's calls for Australia to raise defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP 'as soon as possible'.

When asked what his message to Trump would be, Albanese remained firm on Australia's current defence commitments. 

He said he had increased defence spending by $57billion over the next ten years, and was providing the US with billions through in-kind support carrying a 'range of benefits'.   

They included the nation's $800million financial contribution to the construction of submarines in the US, and the contribution of 100 defence personnel, set to learn to maintain the submarines at a Hawaiian base. 

Australia currently faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like all US trading partners except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America.

Critical minerals and US beef imports could be used as bargaining chips in tariff talks.

Albanese did not want to make 'grand declarations' prior to the meeting, but maintained he would put forward Australia's interests.

'It is also in the interests of the United States for Australia to be treated appropriately,' he said.

Some feared Trump would be unavailable for other leaders at the summit, or skip the event, due to mounting pressure in the US over his immigration policies and rising tensions between Israel and Iran. 

Tensions between two countries have ebbed and flowed in recent days after Australia, alongside several other countries, was criticised by the US for sanctioning two top Israeli government ministers.

The prime minister arrived in Seattle after holding bilateral talks in Fiji, and is expected to depart for the G7 on Sunday local time.

Tariffs have also loomed over Albanese's Seattle trip as he prepares to sing the praises of 'free and fair trade' to US business leaders.

'Free and fair trade has transformed the economies of our region,' the prime minister will say in remarks to the Technology and Business Reception on Saturday.

'We should not lose sight of the profound opportunities that can be realised by closer and deeper co-operation - the businesses in this room are proof of that.

'In a time of global uncertainty, all of you represent cause for optimism.'

Albanese also visited the Amazon corporate headquarters in Seattle to highlight the company's $20 billion dollar commitment to expanding, operating and maintaining Australian data centres.

The global tech giant also announced it would invest in three new solar farms in Victoria and Queensland to help support its infrastructure growth.

Though Australia is not a member of the G7, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney invited Albanese to attend.

The summit is often used to discuss solutions to major global issues like trade, security, economics and climate change, and in a year largely defined by trade tariffs, the topic is expected to take the spotlight.

Throughout the multi-day event, the prime minister is also expected to hold talks with Mr Carney, UK prime minister Keir Starmer and other world leaders.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14813249/Albanese-Trump-talks-tariffs-defence-summit-Canada.html

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