Turnbull said he was unhappy that details of the call were leaked to the press, saying the call was “very frank and forthright,” the BBC reported.
He added: “The report that the president hung up is not correct.”
“It’s better that these things—these conversations—are conducted candidly, frankly, privately,” Turnbull told reporters, NBC News reported.
“I can assure you the relationship is very strong,” Turnbull noted. “The fact we received the assurance that we did, the fact that it was confirmed, the very extensive engagement we have with the new administration underlines the closeness of the alliance. But as Australians know me very well: I stand up for Australia in every forum—public or private.”
The State Department said in a statement on Thursday that the United States would honor the deal “out of respect for close ties to our Australian ally and friend.”
“President Trump’s decision to honor the refugee agreement has not changed and Spokesman Spicer’s comments stand,” the State Department added.
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