So Donald Trump, evidently, has dodged a sit-down meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

We will see if this is a true snub, one that reflects real problems in the US-Australia relationship under Trump, and whether Trump truly wants to distance himself from Australia. Or is it just a missed opportunity due to Trump’s impossibly overloaded schedule – which is how he does business?

Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump have yet to meet. Credit: Michael Howard

The White House strongly implies that Trump is furious at Australia’s government for its recognition of Palestine. Is Trump really channelling Israel’s rage – and some of his own – to further punish Australia on trade and perhaps other issues?

In New York and later this week, Trump will be meeting with leaders of many countries – including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey – all of whom strongly support a two-state solution.

Trump has met regularly with France’s Emmanuel Macron. Last week, Trump revelled in the huge state visit to the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer disagreed publicly with Trump on Palestine, but that did not stop Trump from announcing a major AI investment – tens of billions of dollars – in the UK. Plus a lot of vision of warm handshakes.

But is Trump deliberately putting the US relationship with Australia in play?

There is so much at stake. As Kurt Campbell, former deputy secretary of state, told the US Studies Centre conference last week, in anticipation of a........

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