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Just Another Awkward Moment Between Two World Leaders

Obama: 'I'm Inviting You To Washington.' Turnbull: 'Sorry?'

CANBERRA – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been praised for his first showing on the international stage, but his renowned diplomatic skills departed him during an off-guard, on-mic moment with US President Barack Obama.

Caught on a microphone just before a joint press conference on the sidelines of the APEC summit in the Philippines, Obama suddenly flagged a last minute invitation to Washington.

It seems Turnbull, who ousted Tony Abbott two short months ago, could not quite believe what he was hearing.

Courtesy ABC News

Obama: "One of the things I'm going to do is I'm going to announce that I'm inviting you to Washington."

Turnbull: "Sorry?"

Obama: "I'm going to say that I'm inviting you to Washington and I hope you can accept."

Turnbull: "That you're going to...?"

Obama: "Invite you to Washington."

Turnbull: "Oh yeah, good. For certain."

It was an offer too good to refuse. Now the new fast friends just have to sort out a date.

Turnbull is on his first big whirlwind international tour. Prior to the APEC summit in Manila, the Prime Minister briefly visited Indonesia, Germany and Turkey for the G20 summit.

He’s due to stop off in Malaysia for the East Asia Summit prior to returning to Australia for the next session of parliament.

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