3 Feb 2017

Trump plunges US relationship with Australia into turmoil

From Morning Report, 7:24 am on 3 February 2017

"Don't worry about it" - that is the message to Americans from President Donald Trump after plunging his country's relationship with key ally Australia into turmoil.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and US President Donald Trump.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

President Trump called an Australian refugee resettlement deal "dumb" after reportedly hanging up the phone on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

During the phone call President Trump said the arrangement struck with former US president Barack Obama was "the worst deal ever".

Australian refugee advocate, Ian Rintoul, says there is now a very very big question mark over this resettlement deal.

He says the talk of 'extreme vetting' of people who have been cleared by Australia is just code for keeping people out.