Trump, Turnbull praise each other on immigration and taxes
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull put their “mateship” on full display Friday at the White House as they took turns praising each other’s approaches on immigration and taxes.
Their relationship got off to a rocky start a year ago, but none of that was evident as they prepared to field questions from journalists in the East Room after an afternoon of talks, including about jobs.
Trump congratulated Turnbull on “your immigration reforms and on Australia’s commitment to merit-based immigration.
“Are my friends from Congress listening to that? Merit based,” said Trump, who has been arguing for changes to turn the U.S. immigration system into one that is more focused on merit and the skills immigrants bring to the U.S., and less focused on family ties. His immigration demands have upset lawmakers, mostly Democrats.