Trump slams ‘dumb’ refugee deal with Australia
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media in May 2016 during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Turnbull said Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump had agreed during a weekend telephone conversation to keep an Obama administration promise to resettle an undisclosed number of mostly Muslim refugees held on the impoverished nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
CANBERRA, Australia >> Australia’s prime minister insisted Thursday that a deal struck with the Obama administration that would allow mostly Muslim refugees rejected by Australia to be resettled in the United States was still on, despite President Donald Trump dubbing the agreement “dumb” and vowing to review it.
The conflicting messages came hours after The Washington Post published a story detailing a tense exchange between Trump and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during their first telephone call as national leaders.
The newspaper reported that during the call, an angry Trump dubbed the agreement “the worst deal ever” and accused Turnbull of seeking to export the “next Boston bombers” — a reference to Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, U.S. citizens born in Kyrgyzstan, who set off two bombs at the 2013 Boston marathon.
Turnbull declined to comment on the report, which also said Trump abruptly ended the expected hour-long conversation after 25 minutes as the Australian attempted to steer the conversation to other topics.
“It’s better that these things — these conversations — are conducted candidly, frankly, privately,” Turnbull told reporters. Later, however, he denied during an interview with Sydney radio station 2GB that Trump had hung up on him, saying the conversation had ended “courteously.”
Turnbull told reporters the strength of the relationship between the two nations was evident in that Trump had agreed to honor the deal to resettle refugees from among around 1,600 asylum seekers, most of whom are on island camps on the Pacific nations of Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Australia has refused to accept them and instead pays for them to be housed on the impoverished islands.
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“I can assure you the relationship is very strong,” Turnbull said. “The fact we received the assurance that we did, the fact that it was confirmed, the very extensive engagement we have with the new administration underlines the closeness of the alliance. But as Australians know me very well: I stand up for Australia in every forum — public or private.”
Yet shortly after Turnbull made those comments to reporters, Trump took to Twitter to slam the deal.
“Do you believe it? The Obama Administration agreed to take thousands of illegal immigrants from Australia. Why?” Trump tweeted. “I will study this dumb deal!”
Australians — accustomed to the friendly relationship they have long enjoyed with the U.S. — were transfixed by the drama. The Washington Post story shot to the top of the nation’s trending topics on Twitter, and was plastered across the top of Australia’s major news sites.
The country’s news networks launched running commentaries on it, debating how Turnbull should respond and what the spat meant for the future of the longtime allies’ relationship.
Trump, who a day before the conversation with Turnbull had signed an executive order suspending the admission of refugees, complained during the call that he was “going to get killed” politically by the deal, the newspaper reported, citing anonymous officials.
“I don’t want these people,” Trump reportedly said. Trump also told Turnbull that he had spoken to four world leaders that day and that: “This is the worst call by far.”
Trump told Turnbull that it was “my intention” to honor the agreement, a phrase designed to leave the president wriggle room to back out of the deal, the newspaper reported.
There have been mixed messages from Washington all week on the state of the agreement.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed on Wednesday that Trump had agreed to honor the deal.
But a White House statement sent to Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday said: “The president is still considering whether or not he will move forward with this deal at this time.”
The U.S. State Department said in a statement later Thursday that the United States would honor the agreement “out of respect for close ties to our Australian ally and friend.”
“President Trump’s decision to honor the refugee agreement has not changed and Spokesman Spicer’s comments stand,” the State Department said.
The ABC spoke to senior Australian government sources who said The Washington Post report was “substantially accurate.”
Australian officials said the conversation was “robust” and “shorter than expected,” while one minister told the ABC that “Trump hates this deal.”
Opposition leader Bill Shorten called on Turnbull to be open about his interaction with Trump, saying The Washington Post version of the call was worrying.
“We shouldn’t be finding out about what’s happening to Australian policy through the news of foreign countries,” Shorten said.
Turnbull has likened himself to Trump in that both are wealthy businessmen who came to politics late in life. Turnbull also has a reputation for blunt conversation and tough negotiations behind closed doors.
Turnbull has resisted pressure this week to join other Western leaders in condemning Trump’s temporary ban of immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries.
“When I have frank advice to give to an American president, I give it privately, as good friends should, as wise prime ministers do when they want to ensure they are best able to protect Australians and Australia’s national interest,” Turnbull told reporters on Tuesday.
Some observers suspect Turnbull has held his tongue because he is grateful to Trump for agreeing to honor the refugee deal.
53 responses to “Trump slams ‘dumb’ refugee deal with Australia”
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Further evidence of the deviously incompetent Obama making asinine deals with other countries, and world leaders taking advantage of a weak American President. We have a new sheriff in town, and we aren’t going to make stupid deals like this, further the previous president wanted to take America down, so no deal! Thank God we elected a true leader, who loves America, Mahalo President Trump!
Australia doesn’t want anymore brown people… They’d rather they die at sea than take refugees in. The US deal is probably the only reason why Australians do sea rescues.
Aussies will still let refugees suffer on Nauru awaiting other countries. Perhaps we should enforce sanctions on Australia for neglecting human rights this way.
Seems you may be the racist here, making statements like this.
India and China are the two main sources of recent immigrants (2015 figures) to Australia.
What does anything like that have to do with the rights of refugees?
Rights of refugee’s? It’s all right for Australia to deny them but America cant?
Hey lil willi, tell us what rights does a refugee has?
Neglecting human rights? What right does anyone have to try to enter Australia or any other country other then their own country? The answer is NONE.
@ Maipono
Agree!
Thank Heavens we now have an intelligent POTUS with the will do what’s right FOR America & the safety of Americans.
Agreed. 🙂
Incompetent? More like more evidence showing Trump as a person not fit to be president and leader of the free world. Watch the United States get further isolated in world politics as they try to follow the same path as with totalitarian governments such as North Korea and Russia who refuse to deal with countries that don’t agree with them. Even John McCain was angry about this today when he chastised Trump to reporters.
Australia has refused to accept them and instead pays for them to be housed on the impoverished islands. So it’s okay for Australia to refuse them but not the United States. ALL these refugees should stay home and fight for their country and make it great. Trump said what he was going to do before election and he got elected, the silent Americans have spoken and the sore losers are crying.
John McCain, a good man, a true American hero.
krusha, MillionMonkeys> c’mon be honest and admit you like POTUS. He is the only POTUS to show a true desire to duke it out with all the naysayers and prevail. It’s about time that we gather around the campfire, smoke the peace pipe and reflect on great America is and will be. McCain is okay, but a hero – questionable. He endured brutality while a POW in the Hanoi Hilton, like many other POWs. They are not so much heroes, but damn good Americans and soldiers of our great country. I, myself had served in uniform for over 30 years.
King Louie does it again. Spicer will be FIRED soon. CONWAY will quit. The flicking circus is filling the drained out swamp. Lol,all of this political dRama s funny.
IRT Maipono, completely agree with your post. Mahalo and Imua.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Further evidence of the deviously incompetent Obama making terrible deals with other countries, and world leaders taking advantage of a weak American President. We have a new sheriff in town, and we aren’t going to make terrible deals like this, further the previous president wanted to take America down, so no deal! Thank God we elected a true leader, who loves America, Mahalo President Trump!
Pinocchio O DUMBO da Muslim jew hater crapped on America for eight years, that ends NOW !!!
Australia can put these Muslim refugees where the sun don’t shine !!!
Add this DUMB deal to O’s LEGACY.
Obama the gift that keeps on giving. He will soon go down as the worst President ever.
Soon? He’s already there. Makes Jimmy look great!
If Trump doesn’t see any benefit for the US, then he’ll probably reject the deal.
Turnbull has probably wanted the US to pay for relocation and waited too long. He should probably expect the UN Security Council to censure Australia if it does not pay for relocation. Well, Trump can threaten anyway.
Definitely if Tea Partiers don’t want Muslim refugees, then Trump will reject the deal.
Hey Wiliki:”If Trump doesn’t see any benefit for the US, then he’ll probably reject the deal.”. As the leader of this nation that is his responsibility and duty unlike the previous president is to put the interest of AMERICANS and AMERICA first. It’s about time.
Humanity should have a place in “Make America Great Again” campaign, too bad Trump left it out.
I agree… America is is NOT great if it disrespects basic human rights.
Since when is it an American problem. Seems to me they ended up on Austrilian soil so it is their problem. President Obama made it our problem…
IRT Wiliki, or President Trump will accept the Australian terrorist Muslim refugees and have Australia pay for the transportation and housing in Gitmo for as long as they are held there.
You Trump supporters on here are the most ignorant lot I have ever seen. The fealty you sycophants show for Trump is truly astounding…
Explain why Australia doesnt want them?
Then, provide an explanation why we should take them?
Australia has a policy against accepting refugees who arrive by boat, in order to dissuade the dangerous sea-based attempts to emigrate to Australia. Has nothing to do with them being Muslim or from a certain country. It has everything to do with the manner in which they tried to get to Australia. Maybe if you’d cure your willful ign0rance, you’d have already known that…
HEI, Trump (and now the U.S.) has a policy against accepting refugees who arrive by crossing our southern border, in order to dissuade the dangerous over-land attempts to emigrate to the America. Has nothing to do with them being Mexican or from a certain country. It has everything to do with the manner in which they tried to get to America. Maybe if you’d cure your willful ignorance, you’d have already known that…
How does that dissuade more attempts if these immigrants know that although Australia may not take them the Australian government will help them find another country to accept them anyway. Ign0rance is bliss isn’t it.
HUMANITY is a reason for the U.S. to take the refugees. Are you incapable of understanding that concept?
I agree… they risk their lives in a desperate attempt to get out. We should realize that they are forced to do that. No fault of their own.
“…a deal struck with the Obama administration that would allow mostly Muslim refugees rejected by Australia …”
Why were they REJECTED by Australia? Are they attempting to export their problem to the USA? Another example of the another mess left by the previous admin. who was more concerned with illegals, terrorists and traitors.
haroldm: As the leader of this nation Trump’s responsibility and duty unlike the previous president is to put the interest of AMERICANS and AMERICA first. It’s about time.
Trumps keeps bringing up the past. Especially what Obama did or didn’t do. The past is history — over—gone! He’s now in charge and can make all the changes to move the US ahead. It’s time to perform. Like the NFL Super Bowl, the pre-game hype is now over and now it’s time to play the game. We’ll soon find out who plays to win and who loses!
Half the world is “fleeing” from their native countries. I say the hell with that. 1000 refugee invaders is nothing to the darn liberals, to me it means 1 billion in tax payer expenses and more rat race and alienation of our culture. And most had to go through a safe country first they come here to grab our success for themselves . They and collectively their ancestors have ruined their own countries. Close the borders!
The Australian Prime Minister Turnbull has class and diplomacy. Australia is fortunate to have him.
Kim Jong Un is very happy. He is no longer viewed as the craziest leader in the world.
Qbcoach15> Of course Kim Jong Un is happy with all the crap going on, nobody is even concerned about him. But he is the most craziest world leader and hopefully you will still be able to keep that thought in mind when a nuclear armed ICBM hits you on your head. Blessings to you.
POTUS is a de facto Russian agent. On Thursday he lifted sanctions against the sale of IT products to a Russian spy agency involved in the hacking of the Presidential election (which Trump refuses to investigate). Make Russia Great Again!
So we have gone from a de facto Iranian to a de facto Russian – good lord what’s next
Source? You really believe your statement?
The presidential elections were not hacked. The DNC was hacked. Thank Podesta for that.
“I don’t want these people,” Trump reportedly said. Trump also told Turnbull that he had spoken to four world leaders that day and that: “This is the worst call by far.”
Trump and his unthoughtful, unreasoned treatment of refugees is creating a new wave of terrorists all on his own.
Too bad you are such a coward. Trump is doing exactly what he was elected to do. Full speed ahead. The bleeding hearts will continue to whine.
@ sarge22
Agree.
The hatred toward Trump so strong, He could find a cure to cancer and they would still find a way to call it racist, misogynist or irrational and totally reject it
Turnbull said: “But as Australians know me very well: I stand up for Australia in every forum — public or private.”
And well he should !!!
Just as Trump pledges “America First”.
How rude can he be? Australia is one of our most long-term and loyal allies, and especially so because we are nations in the Pacific. So he basically gives the finger to Australia? I don’t get it. He could have simply said, as his fellow republican Nancy Regan once said, “Just say no.”. But for him that is inadequate, he has to bluster, insult, and bully. How ugly, how unbecoming, how embarrassing for us as a nation to have a “leader” with such bad manners. His repulsive behavior reflects upon all of us. He is going about making enemies of the entire world. He had a better conversation with Putin? Even Sen. Mich McConnell stated that Putin and Russia are not our friends.
These so called refugees are Australia’s responsibility. Do we ask other countries to take refugees/illegals who we detain. No we do not. Obama had no business agreeing
to take them and Australia had no business asking. If Australia does not want to allow them to enter, deport them.
Australia is doing what is in their interests. We would be wise to do the same. As Trump promised, America First. End of story.
Why on earth would we want refugees that have been rejected by Australia for untold reasons? Obviously Australia views them as a security risk or they would integrate them into their own society. America already has 2.5 million muslims in the country, we should not accept any more until muslim extremism is wiped out.