7NEWS The Issue Podcast: Rudd comments loom large over Albanese’s meeting with Trump

There’s a lot riding on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ’s White House meeting with US President Donald Trump .

But few are as invested in the outcome of the talks early Tuesday morning Australian Eastern time, as Australia’s ambassador in Washington, Kevin Rudd.

If Rudd and the prime minister can leave the White House with a largely positive meeting behind them, the ambassador will be entitled to a discreet fist pump in the back seat of the limo.

Of course, that’s a big “if”. Their host is nothing if not fickle.

Dennis Richardson, a former ambassador to the United States who understands Kevin Rudd’s challenges better than most, speaks at length about Rudd in the latest edition of 7NEWS podcast The Issue .

Richardson calls Rudd “a very good ambassador, a superb ambassador”.

In