US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have put their shaky start behind them, putting on a united front over North Korea.
From the Oval Office in the White House, Mr Trump spoke with Mr Turnbull in Canberra, with the call lasting about 30 minutes on Wednesday AEST.
‘The two leaders condemned North Korea’s belligerent actions and confirmed that their two countries will intensify joint efforts to denuclearise North Korea,’ the White House said in a readout of the call.
US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured, stock image) have put their shaky start behind them, putting on a united front over North Korea
From the Oval Office in the White House, Mr Trump (pictured during his first phone call with Mr Turnbull) spoke with Mr Turnbull in Canberra, with the call lasting about 30 minutes on Wednesday AEST
‘The two leaders condemned North Korea’s belligerent actions and confirmed that their two countries will intensify joint efforts to denuclearise North Korea,’ the White House said in a readout (pictured) of the call
‘President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to defending the homeland, territories, and allies of the United States, using all available diplomatic and military capabilities.
‘The two leaders also discussed a range of global issues of mutual concern.’
Mr Trump and Mr Turnbull had a volatile start to their relationship with a January 28 call – just a week after the president moved into the White House.
The call ended abruptly when the prime minister pushed the president on the asylum-seeker deal struck in 2016 when Barack Obama was president.
Mr Turnbull (pictured before the phone call) was the first to shed light on Wednesday’s conversation, telling reporters in Canberra it was ‘a very good call’ and a ‘warm discussion’
Mr Turnbull was the first to shed light on Wednesday’s conversation, telling reporters in Canberra it was ‘a very good call’ and a ‘warm discussion’.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s aggressive pursuit of a nuclear missile program, including the claim of a recent hydrogen bomb test, has been condemned by leaders across the world.
‘We are absolutely one mind in condemning his reckless conduct,’ Mr Turnbull said.
Mr Trump and Mr Turnbull had a volatile start to their relationship with a January 28 call – just a week after the president moved into the White House
The call ended abruptly when the prime minister pushed the president on the asylum-seeker deal struck in 2016 when Barack Obama was president
The leaders encouraged China to put pressure on North Korea to bring the ‘regime to its senses’.
Mr Trump will hold a crucial call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday AEST.
Mr Trump in recent days has spoken to leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Moon Jae In and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The leaders encouraged China to put pressure on North Korea (pictured is North Korea leader Kim Jong-un with a hydrogen bomb) to bring the ‘regime to its senses’
‘President Trump reiterated that now is not the time to talk to North Korea, and made clear that all options remain open to defend the United States and its allies against North Korean aggression,’ the White House readout on the call with Ms May stated.
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also spoke with South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo to discuss North Korea’s test of a nuclear device on September 2.
‘Secretary Mattis assured Minister Song that the United States remains ironclad in its commitment to the defence of the ROK (Republic of Korea),’ the Pentagon stated in a readout of the call.
‘He further emphasised that any threat to the United States, its territories, or its allies will be met with a massive, effective, and overwhelming military response.’
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis also spoke with South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo to discuss North Korea’s test of a nuclear device (pictured is an infographic about the latest device tested by the North Korean regime)