Trump Criticizes Australian Ambassador Amidst Signing of Rare-Earth Minerals Agreement

WASHINGTON — President Trump launched a verbal attack on a foreign ambassador on Monday following the signing of a significant multibillion-dollar agreement on rare-earth and critical minerals with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

During a press conference, Trump reacted sharply when a journalist brought up past criticisms made by Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd. “Did an ambassador say something bad about me?” he inquired of Albanese. “Where is he? Is he still working for you?”

Albanese responded, informing Trump that Rudd, who has served as Australia’s top diplomat in Washington since 2023 and is a former prime minister, was present at the meeting. Trump pursued the issue, asking, “You said bad?”

Attempting to clarify, Rudd began, “Before I took this position, Mr. President,” but Trump interrupted him.

“I don’t like you either. I don’t. And I probably never will,” Trump declared before turning his attention back to the press and inviting another question.

Rudd in 2021 referred to Trump as the “village idiot,” among many other derogatory remarks, including declaring him the “most destructive president in history.”

Moments earlier, Albanese and Trump signed an agreement to boost cooperation on the mining and processing of rare-earth and critical minerals — including putting up a combined $2 billion in investment pledges to counter Chinese dominance of the supply chain.

The deal follows China’s new trade policies announced this month requiring companies to seek permission before exporting material made with the minerals, including magnets, batteries and semiconductors — drawing a 100% tariff threat by Trump if Beijing doesn’t change course.

China currently controls more than two-thirds of the world’s rare-earth mining, which is essential for high-tech manufacturing. It also controls an estimated 90% of all global processing.

The US-Australia framework says the nations will cooperate to “identify projects of interest to address gaps in priority supply chains” and to “accelerate, streamline, or deregulate permitting timelines” to close them.

“[W]ithin six months” the agreement commits the countries to taking “measures to provide at least $1 billion in financing to projects located in each of the United States and Australia expected to generate end product for delivery to buyers in the United States and Australia.”

The just over two-page document says the countries will host a gathering of executive-branch leaders within 180 days to focus on goals, including how “to promote investment in mining.”

The agreement also identifies plans for “price floors or similar measures” to protect against “non-market policies and unfair trade practices.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week said the administration was working on a price-floor plan to prevent China from continuing to dominate the global market by strategically pricing products so low that it drives competitors out of business.

“The Participants will also work with international partners to develop a future global framework to deal with associated international pricing challenges,” the document says.

After signing the deal, Trump voiced confidence in his ability to negotiate with China despite two weeks of acrimony over the export rules.

“I think we’re going to end up having a fantastic deal with China,” Trump said after the deal-signing with Albanese. “It’s going to be a great trade deal. It’s going to be fantastic for both countries, and it’s going to be fantastic for the entire world.”

Trump said he plans to visit China in early 2026 and that “we’re going to have a very good relationship with China.”