In an alternate world, you would be reading right now about Donald Trump attacking Australia’s low Defence spending levels and threatening to withhold submarines, complaining bitterly about American beef farmers being dudded and eviscerating Kevin Rudd to the point where the ambassador’s job was untenable.

Instead, Anthony Albanese will return to Australia triumphant after a long-awaited meeting with the mercurial President.

The worst fears of those around him and in the media were never realised – even a crack at Dr Rudd was low-key and taken by at least half of those present as a joke.

Months of preparation went into the critical minerals deal struck in the White House cabinet room.

Much effort was put into smoothing the way for the AUKUS deal that Mr Trump – finally – gave a resound

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