PM reveals ‘model submarine’ Trump gift after AUKUS praise

Anthony Albanese has reluctantly revealed he gave Melania Trump jewellery and Donald Trump a model submarine, after the US President publicly praised AUKUS.

It is customary for leaders to trade gifts on behalf of their countries during official visits.

Little more than a year ago, the Prime Minister did so on camera with Mr Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, with the pair chatting chummily as they unwrapped their presents.

But this time round he was noticeably cagey on the matter, with his office firmly refusing to give any details.

Fronting reporters at the Australian Embassy on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT), Mr Albanese had no choice but to address it on the record, giving a tortured response straight out of Yes, Prime Minister.

“I gave a … our gift was done through protocol and … so I know what our gift was, which was two things, at least perhaps more,” he said.

“We had a gift for Melania. We had jewellery. We had a submarine model for the President.

“And we had some Ugg bootees for the President’s newest granddaughter … and I’m sure they will be very well received.”

He also confirmed he had not yet received his gift from Mr Trump, which NewsWire understands has been held up in formal exchange protocols.

“I will probably get whatever has come to us in about three years and six months after it goes through all the security things and (the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet) do all that,” Mr Albanese said.

He was asked if the submarine was “gold-plated” in reference to Mr Trump’s know love of gold.

“I’ll just leave it there,” he responded.

Mr Albanese was under pressure to secure assurances on AUKUS amid concerns the $368bn pact could be scrapped at the end of a Pentagon review.

Though, he got more than that when he met with Mr Trump on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), with the President praising the plan to arm Australia with nuclear-powered submarines and pledging to speed up the delivery of promised American-made Virginia-class boats.