After weeks of speculation, Anthony Albanese confirmed he had scheduled talks with the US president on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada on Tuesday local time.
The pressure will be on for Mr Albanese to try negotiate an exemption from controversial US tariffs as Mr Trump stares down domestic protests and unrest in the Middle East.
But the prime minister remained unperturbed.
"We do have a meeting scheduled," he told reporters in Seattle on Saturday local time.
"Obviously, there are issues that the US president is dealing with at the moment, but I expect that we will be able to have a constructive engagement.
"We'll have a discussion as two friends should."
Mr Albanese said he would raise tariffs and emphasise the importance of AUKUS, Australia's nuclear-powered submarine arrangement with the US and UK.
Both men have already spoken on three occasions but Tuesday's arrangement is the first time they will meet in person.
Australia currently faces 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like all US trading partners except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America.
Critical minerals and US beef imports could be used as bargaining chips in tariff talks.
Mr Albanese did not want to make "grand declarations" prior to the meeting, but maintained he would put forward Australia's interests.
"It is also in the interests of the United States for Australia to be treated appropriately," he said.
Tensions between two countries have ebbed and flowed in recent days after Australia, alongside several other countries, was criticised by the US for sanctioning two top Israeli government ministers.
Meanwhile the US has called on Australia to increase its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP and launched a review into the AUKUS agreement to ensure it aligns with its "America first" agenda.
The prime minister arrived in Seattle after holding bilateral talks in Fiji, and is expected to depart for the G7 on Sunday local time.
Tariffs have also loomed over Mr Albanese's Seattle trip as he prepares to sing the praises of "free and fair trade" to US business leaders.
"Free and fair trade has transformed the economies of our region," the prime minister will say in remarks to the Technology and Business Reception on Saturday.
"We should not lose sight of the profound opportunities that can be realised by closer and deeper co-operation - the businesses in this room are proof of that.
"In a time of global uncertainty, all of you represent cause for optimism."
Mr Albanese also visited the Amazon corporate headquarters in Seattle to highlight the company's $20 billion dollar commitment to expanding, operating and maintaining Australian data centres.
The global tech giant also announced it would invest in three new solar farms in Victoria and Queensland to help support its infrastructure growth.
Though Australia is not a member of the G7, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney invited Mr Albanese to attend.
The summit is often used to discuss solutions to major global issues like trade, security, economics and climate change, and in a year largely defined by trade tariffs, the topic is expected to take the spotlight.
Throughout the multi-day event, the prime minister is also expected to hold talks with Mr Carney, UK prime minister Keir Starmer and other world leaders.
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