Trump administration expresses regrets for ditching Albanese meeting

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the Trump administration has expressed its regrets to her for missing a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G7. The senator also said the US secretary of state had recognised the “importance” of the AUKUS agreement to both nations during their 45-minute meeting — and that a demand made last month for Australia to lift its defence spending was not repeated. Mr Albanese is yet to meet face-to-face with United States President Donald Trump eight months since his election win, and has faced criticism from the Coalition for not pushing…