Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the US alliance is "stronger than ever" thanks to Barack Obama's leadership after the pair met for the final time before Donald Trump takes over the White House in January.
The two men enjoyed a warm, 50-minute meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation in Lima, Peru, affirming a mutual commitment to free trade and discussing security issues including the South China Sea and the fight against ISIS.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:23
PM's praise for Obama
PM's praise for Obama
Malcolm Turnbull has reflected on Barack Obama's achievements and promised to get behind Donald Trump while defending Australia's interests. Courtesy ABC News 24.
Up Next
Surfer rescued after 30 hours adrift
- Video duration
- 01:24
- Video duration
- 01:24
Surfer rescued after 30 hours adrift
Surfer rescued after 30 hours adrift
A man who was surfing off the western coast of Scotland was plucked from the sea after being adrift for more than 30 hours. Raw Footage
Up Next
Cassandra Sainsbury arrested after US tip-off
- Video duration
- 00:51
- Video duration
- 00:51
Cassandra Sainsbury arrested after US ...
Cassandra Sainsbury arrested after US tip-off
US Drug Enforcement Agency reportedly tipped off Colombian authorities about an Australian woman potentially smuggling drugs out of the country.
Up Next
Turnbull to meet Trump
- Video duration
- 00:46
- Video duration
- 00:46
Turnbull to meet Trump
Turnbull to meet Trump
After their initial tense phone conversation, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will meet US President Donald Trump face to face for the first time this week.
Up Next
United CEO: Passenger incident 'epic mistake'
- Video duration
- 02:42
- Video duration
- 02:42
United CEO: Passenger incident 'epic ...
United CEO: Passenger incident 'epic mistake'
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz apologises for an incident in which a passenger was forcibly removed from a flight, stating 'it was a mistake of epic proportions," as he and other airline executives face tough questions from lawmakers on Tuesday.
Up Next
China delegates 'disgusting' behaviour at Perth forum
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
China delegates 'disgusting' behaviour at ...
China delegates 'disgusting' behaviour at Perth forum
Meeting abandoned, introductions interrupted and Taiwan delegates asked to leave a Kimberley Process meeting attended by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Up Next
Clinton blames defeat on hackers and FBI
- Video duration
- 00:43
- Video duration
- 00:43
Clinton blames defeat on hackers and FBI
Clinton blames defeat on hackers and FBI
At the Women for Women event in New York, former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton ruminated on her loss in the 2016 US election, citing the Russian hackers and FBI Director James Comey as the major factors in her defeat.
Up Next
White House justifies Trump's 'good shutdown' tweet
- Video duration
- 00:47
- Video duration
- 00:47
White House justifies Trump's 'good ...
White House justifies Trump's 'good shutdown' tweet
Following President Donald Trump's tweet stating that the government "needs a good shutdown," the Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney described to reporters what a "good shutdown" might look like, saying it would be one that fixes Washington.
PM's praise for Obama
Malcolm Turnbull has reflected on Barack Obama's achievements and promised to get behind Donald Trump while defending Australia's interests. Courtesy ABC News 24.
Mr Turnbull emerged from the closed door talks to take a "farewell selfie" with Mr Obama, which he posted to social networks including Facebook and Instagram, and later described the outgoing President as "remarkable leader" of the world.
"It's a great moment but a sad moment to have our last meeting in your capacity as President of the United States," he said in a set of public remarks following the meeting. "Our alliance has got stronger than ever," he said, adding that it was based on "shared values" and a determination to work together around the world "in freedom's cause".
Mr Turnbull thanked the outgoing US president for his co-operation on "so many issues" including "resettlement issues in our own region", namely the agreement to resettle a number of refugees currently on Nauru and Manus Island who tried to come to Australia by boat.
Mr Obama said the "strong alignment of interests" between the two countries made for an unusually agreeable dialogue. "It's not often where I have a meeting and I've got nothing to disagree with ... usually there's something to keep us busy," he said.
Both men spoke in favour of open markets and free trade agreements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, in contrast to the protectionist rhetoric promulgated by President-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to scuttle the deal.
"We've agreed, as we have with the other leaders here, the importance of making the case for open markets repeatedly and more persuasively now than ever," Mr Turnbull said. He promised to "make the case in our own national interest" and would wait to see what Mr Trump did in office.
Mr Obama promised a "strong hand-off" to the incoming Trump administration, which was this week finalising key strategic and cabinet appointments. Mr Turnbull said he was "very impressed" by Mr Obama's willingness to engage positively with Mr Trump following the bitter and divisive US election.
"It's a momentous occasion when one president hands over to another. It's a point in history," Mr Turnbull said at a later press conference. "President Obama has been a remarkable leader of the United States and indeed leader of the world for eight years. There's an element of sadness there but a great sense of achievement too.
"We've always got on very well at a personal level, I guess you've probably worked that out." At last year's APEC summit President Obama caught Mr Turnbull by surprise with an invitation to the White House.
Mr Turnbull also met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of this year's APEC summit. He will return to Australia on Monday.
22 comments
Comment are now closed