Australian prime minister criticized for telling Trump that he could refuse refugees

It should have been a good-natured exchange between the leaders of two firm allies. But a now-notorious phone call between US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has turned into a diplomatic headache for both sides.

The account also shows Turnbull almost begging Trump to take 1,250 to 2,000 refugees off Australia’s hands, yet apparently suggesting that the deal didn’t commit the US to taking any of them.

Burned by the revelation of the transcript, Turnbull on Friday said he was merely “standing up” for Australia. The White House said it would not comment on the leak.

The phone call was made just after Trump took office, and the US President was fuming at Turnbull over the deal, which contradicts his election promise to ban people arriving in the US from Muslim-majority nations and to suspend the country’s intake of refugees. News reports had already suggested the call didn’t go well.

Turnbull is forced repeatedly to explain the details and significance of the deal to Trump, who says it will make him look like “a dope”.

Turnbull faced sharp criticism in Australia on Friday for telling Trump that he could refuse refugees.

“It has always been subject to American vetting procedures. That’s always been part of the arrangement,” he told reporters.

Source: Australian PM Turnbull defends spiky Trump call – CNN.com