A former prime minister played a key role in preparing Anthony Albanese for his much-anticipated first in-person meeting with Donald Trump, equipping him with “fighting words” to use if tensions arose.

Paul Keating, who served as Australia’s Labor prime minister from 1991 to 1996, disclosed that he provided counsel to Albanese after observing Trump’s confrontational approach with other world leaders leading up to their October 20 meeting.

“I gave our prime minister a set of strong talking points in case Trump became aggressive,” Keating shared with an audience during an event at the State Library of New South Wales last night.

Fortunately for Albanese, those defensive measures were not needed.

Keating further commented that he believed Albanese was prepared to stand firm and assert Australia’s position if confronted with any hostility.

“If you showed the slightest sign of weakness, you’re buggered with him,” he said, describing the president as a “power guy”.

Although there was a brief moment of awkwardness over Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd’s past criticisms of Trump, last month’s meeting was largely hailed as a success by the federal government and the opposition alike after Albanese walked away with an $8.5 billion critical minerals and rare earths deal.

The meeting also saw Trump reaffirm his support for the AUKUS submarine pact after the Pentagon’s review of the deal stirred uncertainty on whether the US would deliver on the $368 billion agreement.

“There shouldn’t be any more clarifications because we’re just going full steam ahead building,” Trump said.

Over a week later, Trump praised the prime minister at a dinner with seven APEC nation leaders in South Korea, saying they had a “great meeting” and Albanese had “done a fantastic job”.

“We’re working together on rare earths, but we’re working on a lot of things together, and it’s all working out very well,” Trump said of Albanese. 

Australia’s long-standing relationship with the US appears strengthened after being shaken when Trump began his second term in January by imposing sweeping global tariffs.

Australian steel and aluminium imports hit with a 50 per cent tariff, while most other goods were whacked with a baseline 10 per cent tariff.

Despite outrage from all sides of politics, Albanese announced he would not retaliate with tariffs on US imports to Australia.

However, his government lifted biosecurity restrictions on US beef in a move speculated to appease Trump. 

Albanese and his government were then scrutinised for most of this year for failing to secure a face-to-face meeting with Trump, as he met with other world leaders shortly after taking office.

The prime minister brushed off the criticism at the time, insisting he had had four positive phone calls with Trump.