President Donald Trump had a tense exchange with former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, now serving as Australia’s ambassador to the United States. Rudd was part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s delegation meeting Trump at the White House.

During a press conference, a reporter asked Trump if he had any comment on Rudd’s past criticism of him. Trump, apparently unaware Rudd was in the room, replied, “I don’t know anything about him. If he said bad, then maybe he’ll like to apologize.”

Rudd, who had previously called Trump a “village idiot” and “the most destructive president in history,” responded that the remarks were made before his appointment as ambassador. Trump then said, “I don’t like you either. And I probably never will.”

Despite the tense exchange, the two nations signed a deal to expand cooperation on rare-earth minerals. Albanese later defended Rudd, saying he is doing “a fantastic job” and described Trump’s comment as light-hearted rather than a diplomatic rupture.