<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set for a week of high-level diplomacy with Pacific leaders, even as domestic </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/kevin-rudd-donald-trump-moment-andrew-hastie-says-it-was-theatre/2d700b2a-5e02-44c1-a75e-1851cf7a2c24" rel="" target="" title="controversy over ambassador Kevin Rudd persists."><span>controversy over ambassador Kevin Rudd persists.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, the global focus shifts to Seoul, where President Donald Trump is preparing to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, for a crucial summit.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After visiting Uluru to mark 40 year since the handback, he's departing Darwin bound for Malaysia and a week with Pacific leaders at ASEAN, buoyed by new opportunities stemming from the critical minerals deal signed in the White House.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And why should we be involved because it means jobs and economic activity in Australia," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is a program that could set us up for success. Just as iron ore and our resources have been in the last century.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is absolutely critical."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nationals Leader David Littleproud said: "There's an opportunity for us to take a leadership role - particularly between the United States and China,"</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/albanese-uluru-anniversary-politics/cf3c1d5c-6310-492c-bfc6-9b3ff5341b7e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The week will culminate in a summit of superpowers, with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meeting in Seoul.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Close calls in the Pacific, the war in Ukraine and escalating tariffs are on the agenda</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When you see two large trading partners going toe to toe there is a contagion impact that flows through to Australia as well," littleproud said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kevin Rudd won't be there this time around. He'll remain in Washington - where President Trump - has forgiven but not forgotten</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span> I think a long time ago he said something bad. When they say bad about me I don't forget," Trump said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We measure these these things by results that are actually delivered. Ambassador Rudd is clearly done an excellent job," Murray Watt said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the coalition seemingly back out on the ambassador</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The biggest diplomatic slap down I can think of," Deputy Nationals Leader, Susan McDonald called it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He is trying to flag how impossible the situation is."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When asked is he needed to "sub Kevin Rudd out?"</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After a pause, Albanese answered no.</span></div></div>