Reminder: Australia is a sovereign nationPresident Trump has a number of pet dislikes including freedom of speech, press freedom, renewable energy (especially wind farms), acknowledging climate change and anything else he deems left-wing. Like much of the United States’ ruling classes, historically, anything that smacks of socialism is anathema. Unfortunately, Anthony Albanese is a Labor prime minister who has Medicare, a universal healthcare program and our precious PBS under his care. He is overseeing a wide-ranging climate protection initiative and seeking to protect our young from damaging social media activities – something that France is now looking at emulating.This week, the Australian government intends to recognise Palestine after 80 years of delay. That is also anathema to Trump.While Albanese would like to have the COP come to Australia, the US president has acknowledged that he will be meeting Turkey’s President Erdogan, the other bidder for that COP honour, and he has not confirmed a meeting for our prime minister.Does that make Albanese “weak” or incapable? No doubt, there will be Australian whisperers in the US president’s ears bent on having that idea cemented, but, as has been stated, we are a sovereign nation making decisions that will benefit our nation, and it is right that we should do so.Loucille McGinley, Brighton East

US Congress members take noteAndrew Forrest criticised Donald Trump’s “illogical”⁣ energy policies, and supports net zero for world shipping. American business leaders would be terrified of Trump’s retribution if they came out with what “⁣Twiggy”⁣ said.John Hughes, Mentone

Trump’s local criticsFirstly, ABC reporter John Lyons, on behalf of Four Corners, puts questions to Donald Trump about his finances, provoking the president’s wrath. Secondly, “⁣Twiggy”⁣ Forrest describes Trump’s energy policies as “gobsmackingly illogical” (21/9).With his fragile ego and erratic behaviour, Trump is likely to lash out at these Australian sources, perhaps even cancelling AUKUS. The program into the business activities of Trump and his family since returning to office thatFour Corners is apparently preparing might well do the trick and provoke an anti-Aussie tantrum at the White House. Here’s hoping.Edmund Doogue, Crawley, WA

Albanese adviceAnthony Albanese and the other world leaders might have more luck with reporter Matthew Knott’s suggested aim of convincing Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza and bringing Trump on board (“⁣How to make friends and influence Trump”⁣, 20/9) if they suggested a way to achieve their oft-stated aim of getting Hamas out of Gaza. So far there has been complete silence on this crucial aspect.Otherwise, they would be far better off pressuring countries that support Hamas to convince the terror group that started it to surrender and end the war.Shane Shmuel, Elsternwick

AUKUS optionAustralia has little to gain from a meeting with POTUS. We disagree on Israel, the energy transition, free speech, international governance and more. We also enjoy relatively low tariffs. Maybe Trump could cancel AUKUS. That would save us $360 billion.Peter Hansford, Castlemaine