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McCain Reassures Australia in Wake of Trump Call

ALLIES

Speaks to ambassador after testy exchange with Trump.

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Mark Makela/Reuters

In a statement released Thursday, Sen. John McCain said he called Australia’s ambassador to the United States in the wake of a reportedly testy phone call that took place between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The Arizona Republican said he spoke with Joe Hockey, the Australian ambassador, to “express my unwavering support for the U.S.-Australia alliance.” On Wednesday night, The Washingon Post reported that Trump angrily and abruptly hung up on Turnbull after Trump slammed a refugee agreement between the two nations as “the worst deal ever.” Trump also reportedly told Turnbull that their conversation was “the worst call by far” that he had that day with world leaders. Trump responded to the controversy in a tweet Wednesday night shortly after the Post story was published. “Do you believe it? The Obama Administration agreed to take thousands of illegal immigrants from Australia,” Trump wrote, erroneously referring to the refugees. “Why? I will study this dumb deal!”