Good afternoon readers, and welcome to the Afternoon Update.

Donald Trump’s “I don’t like you” quip to Kevin Rudd at the White House dominated the headlines, but the Australian ambassador to the US has since been praised for his role in Anthony Albanese’s first formal meeting with the US president.

The acting prime minister, Richard Marles, said the former PM “deserves his share of credit” for the US relationship; Malcolm Turnbull wrote the critical minerals deal was “testimony to Rudd’s effectiveness” . It comes after Sussan Ley suggested Trump’s remark meant Rudd’s position was no longer tenable .

Josh Butler writes from Washington DC that Trump told Rudd “all is forgiven” after the meeting, in which Albanese caught the US president at his effusive best .

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