ANKARA
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday said he discussed tariffs with US President Donald Trump during his "very warm" phone call to congratulate him over Labor Party's victory in the recent election.
"I had a very warm and positive conversation with President Trump just a short while ago," Albanese told reporters in the capital Canberra. "I thank him for his very warm message of congratulations."
He said they talked about the AUKUS defense pact and tariffs, and that the two will engage on a "face to face" basis at some time in the future.
"But it was very warm … I thank him for reaching out in such a positive way as well," he said.
Earlier, Trump in a brief talk with reporters said Albanese "is very good" and a "friend of mine."
"I can only say he's been very very nice to me, very respectful to me," he said.
As part of the 2021 AUKUS alliance, the US, UK, and Australia are jointly developing nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
Last month, Trump launched a wide-ranging "reciprocal" tariff regime across the world, including 10% import duties on Australia.
He later gave a 90-day reprieve to all nations except China, which is facing a maximum 245% tariff on some exports to the US.
Albanese on Saturday became the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in two decades, in a comeback for his Labor Party.
Cost-of-living pressures and concerns about Trump's aggressive trade policies had been among the top issues in the Australian election.
Albanese also said that his first post-election visit will be to Jakarta, Indonesia.