Turnbull hints at meeting with Trump

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has hinted at the possibility of meeting United States President Donald Trump as early as next week.

In the Middle East on Tuesday, Mr Turnbull was asked about the potential of the two leaders meeting at an event planned in New York on May 4 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

The potential meeting, at an event marking a significant moment in Australia's alliance with the US, would interrupt the prime minister's preparations for the May 9 federal budget.

"Well, we'll look forward to announcements being made in due course, but we've had very good meetings with Vice President (Mike) Pence and the Defense Secretary James Mattis just in the last few days," Mr Turnbull said in the United Arab Emirates.

"I look forward to continuing those discussions with President Trump and will do so at an early opportunity. But we'll be making announcements very shortly about that."